Key forward David Hale has turned his back on the prospect of returning home to play for the Gold Coast AFL franchise in its inaugural season by signing a new three-year contract with North Melbourne.

Hale, who turns 25 later this month, was recruited to the Kangaroos from Broadbeach with pick No.7 in the 2001 national draft.

Despite an unimpressive start to 2009, Hale is one of the most high-profile players from the Gold Coast currently playing in the AFL.

And although he had yet to be officially approached by Gold Coast officials, he loomed as a likely target for the new club which will enter the competition in 2011.

"Last year all I got asked about was, 'Are you going to the Gold Coast?' and all that sort of stuff with the team coming in," Hale said on Tuesday.

"It's good that the club and I could come to an agreement pretty early and put it into the background."

The new deal will keep Hale at Arden St until at least the end of 2012.

The Kangaroos also announced on Tuesday that skipper Brent Harvey had signed on for another year in 2010.

Harvey, 31, will be sidelined for at least another 10 weeks after suffering a serious elbow injury in the loss to Richmond last month.

"Once you get to that big age of 30, they don't do too many big deals," said Harvey.

"I just thought the contract they offered was good. I still think I've got another two or three really good years left in me."

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