Hard-nosed North Melbourne defender Brady Rawlings admits he's not the greatest kick or mark in the AFL.

But the 243-game veteran, who will retire at the end of the season with three club best-and-fairest awards to his credit, says his skills come from within.

Like guts. And determination.

"I suppose my skills are probably a little bit different to other blokes' skills," the 184cm Rawlings told 3AW Radio on Wednesday.

"It's probably more stuff that comes from within, probably the determination and never wanting to lose are probably the skills that are two of my biggest assets.

"People probably think about the kicking and marking side of things but I see those other things as a huge part of footy.

"I've spent 13 years at a club which I absolutely love. It has been an honour.

"To be able to play with some of the all-time greats is something I'll hold close to me."

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott paid tribute to the selfless decision of Rawlings to retire at the age of 30.

Rawlings has told Scott he wants the Kangaroos to start blooding a new generation of players, including teenager Aaron Mullett who made his debut last week against Fremantle.

"He's the ultimate team player and he sets a great example for every other player at this club," Scott said.

The ninth-placed Kangaroos need to win their last two games against St Kilda and Richmond to have any chance of qualifying for the finals.

A desire to give Rawlings a fitting send-off will add to the club's motivations to reach the top eight.

"He'll go down as a legend at North Melbourne. He's certainly held in much higher regard internally than he ever will be externally," Scott said.

Scott said Rawlings had put the club ahead of his own interests.

"It shouldn't surprise anyone that that's the case," Scott said.

"He has been a remarkable player for us for a long period of time.

"He epitomises what this club's about. He's very, very capable but very, very humble at the same time.

"He asked me to tell him when I thought his time was up.

"In the end, I didn't have to say anything. He was the first to come in and say 'I think we should start grooming a young defender to take my spot'.

"Brady could play on next year, without doubt."

Rawlings shared North's 2010 best-player award with skipper Brent Harvey.

The Devonport product was in superb form last year with 623 disposals, the fourth-highest possession tally in the AFL in the home-and-away season.

But Rawlings has been unable to match last year's average of more than 28 possessions per game, gathering an average of 22.6 in 20 matches in 2011, with a season-high of 35 in North's win over Essendon in round 13.

The value of Rawlings cannot be measured in mere possessions, however.

"In a lot of ways, he's our assistant-assistant defensive coach," Scott said.

"He coaches our players out on the ground, he coaches them at training.

"But the great thing is we won't lose him because he'll be a full-time staff member here next year in recruiting and development."

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