North Melbourne has been boosted after signing star playmaker Drew Petrie to a new three-year deal.

Petrie, named by coach Dean Laidley recently as a future captain, was signed amid "paranoia" about a potential exodus to the AFL's new Gold Coast team.

Petrie, who will play his 150th game against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, has been a pivotal player for the Roos this year, although he said he was relieved to sign when he did.

"At least I know I've got a job for the next three years," Petrie said.

"I signed a couple of weeks ago luckily because my last two games haven't been that great.

"I got in at the right time and held the club to ransom and everything so it was good."

The 25-year-old, who Laidley admitted was too young when he was included in the leadership group at 21, was dropped from the elite circle before returning to be touted as a future leader.

"It's something I would definitely aspire to," Petrie said.

"At the moment Simmo (skipper Adam Simpson), we can't shake him at the moment. He's 32 and he's still going."

He also nominated rover Brent Harvey as a future captain ahead of himself.

"His experience and character and leadership ability that he's shown at the footy club during his time here, he'd be the next candidate in front of anyone else," Petrie said.

Petrie admitted it had taken him several years to adjust to the demands of maintaining a place in the team week-in week-out.

"Your first years of footy you can come in and fly under the radar a bit, maybe get a couple of kicks and those middle stages are when you're probably still a bit immature.

"I probably didn't realise that until the last couple of years, that playing footy consistently every week is really hard.

"Now I think I've got a firm grip on things and I understand what's involved each week," he said.

North Melbourne football manager Donald McDonald said club had been prompted to act quickly to sign key players with the league?s new Gold Coast team set to enter the competition in 2011.

"I think there's a lot of paranoia within the AFL because of the Gold Coast side because everyone's running around and locking away their players on long-term deals," McDonald said.

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