In-form North Melbourne star Brent Harvey believes his new status as Brownlow Medal favourite is unwarranted.

The pacy, goal-kicking midfielder took over the mantle from Geelong's Gary Ablett after his best-afield performance against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Ablett's stocks have slumped since he missed three games with an ankle injury, before returning last round, with Harvey in eye-catching form over that period.

But while the 30-year-old, who tied for second in last year's count, believes he has been more consistent this year, he doubts he has put together enough standout displays to take out the prized individual award.

"I think my consistency's been my strength this year," Harvey said.

"Last year I had a few more better games and this year's been more consistent.

"... I haven't played too many big games to warrant too many votes.

"I think a couple of games where I played okay we've lost, so that automatically wipes the votes off there."

Harvey said the potential honour was very much in the background as he attempted to help the fifth-placed `Roos secure a finals berth and possibly a doubly chance.

"It doesn't bother me one bit whether I'm favourite or paying 500-1," he said.

"I'm about playing football in a consistent manner and trying to help North Melbourne win games and that's my main aim."

Meanwhile, Harvey added his support to comments by the club's chief executive Eugene Arocca that coach Dean Laidley's contract was likely to be extended beyond 2009.

"His contract warrants renewal, I reckon," Harvey said.

He said Laidley's effort in positioning the club for likely finals action this season, after taking them to a preliminary final last season, had not received due recognition.

"I think Dean might slip under the radar, the same as the North Melbourne Football Club," he said.

"We do every year, nothing's changed, and to tell you the truth we're pretty happy with that.

"We don't have to talk about ourselves to pump ourselves up and things like that.

"We've just got to go about our business and that's exactly what Dean's done. He has done a fantastic job."

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