New North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has worked his magic already, with in-demand forward Cam Zurhaar signing a new two-year with the AFL club.
Essendon, West Coast, and Fremantle were among rivals linked to the 24-year-old forward.
Zurhaar had been offered a contract extension by North Melbourne earlier this year but was weighing up his future following the club's disastrous 2-20 season.
It appears the appointment of former Hawthorn four-time premiership coach Clarkson on a five-year deal has put Zurhaar's mind at ease, with the 189cm spearhead signing on until the end of 2024.
Zurhaar kicked a career-high 34 goals this season, including a match-winning six-goal haul in the round 18 triumph over Richmond.
"We are really pleased to have retained Cam's services," North Melbourne list and recruiting manager Brady Rawlings said in a statement.
"We know there was significant interest in Cam from opposition clubs, so it's a great show of confidence in where we are headed as a football club that he has decided to remain with us for at least two more years.
"Cam is a player of high calibre who we see playing a big part in our future, and we look forward to seeing where he can take his football."
North Melbourne are among up to five clubs linked to Fremantle midfielder Darcy Tucker.
Tucker is contracted for next year, but Fremantle are understood be open to a trade at the right price.
Hawthorn, Essendon, Geelong, and Collingwood are other clubs to have expressed interest in Tucker, who has played 108 games but has fallen out of Fremantle's best 22 this year.
