MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Aaron Hall and Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos look dejected after losing the round 21 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 07, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
North Melbourne veteran Aaron Hall has claimed that the club's recent decision to blood youth around this season has played a huge part in his decision to sign a one-year extension to stay at Arden Street.
News of the the former Sun's agreement was released by the club on Wednesday afternoon, after the Tasmanian agreed to extend his stay at his second home into a fourth season.
“I love it, this group we’ve had this year has been my favourite group to play with in all of my 10 seasons,” Hall told North Media.
“I love the energy from the young boys, they really put a pep in your step when you get into the club.
“There are so many different personalities within our playing group and everyone is allowed to be themselves and come in and train hard and we’re all here for one thing.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in the group, and the boys apply themselves to the work as well so I think next year is going to be exciting. I can’t wait for it.”
At 30, Hall is one of very few older heads that are currently under head coach David Noble's stewardship, with the Roos opting for a visible shift towards the future at the end of their 2020 campaign.
Although this move led to the Shinboners claiming their first wooden spoon in 49-years this season, the Hobart native enjoyed the fruits of a pre-season move to a permanent place behind the ball.
Having appeared for North on 20-occasions this season, the half-back flanker finished the year with an average of 27.9 disposals and a staggering mean of 637-metres gained per week - the most in the AFL.
Despite previously being deployed inside forward 50, Hall paid credit to the club's coaching staff for helping him make a near seamless transition into his defensive arc slot.
“Nobes (coach David Noble) and Blakes [John Blakey], our defensive coach, they just always back you in," he said.
"I probably haven’t had that from coaching staff in my whole 10 years of playing.
"Those two especially give me that great confidence to just play the game and use my strengths and my weapons and bring that every week. I suppose it’s just given me a lot of confidence."
Although his Roos started their schedule slowly, Hall, and his contemporaries, found form in the back half, finishing with a 4-1-9 record after a string of 16-consecutive losses that began last year.
Hall also extended praise to the youngsters that he shared a locker room with, and pointed to big things to come from many.
“I genuinely love seeing young fellas do well," he continued.
"I’ve worked with Atu [Bosenavulagi] and Bon [Aiden Bonar] and now working with young Flynn [Perez]. And obviously Tarryn [Thomas] lived with me for two years and we worked a lot on his football,” he said.
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“Seeing Jy [Simpkin] have an unbelievable season this year and seeing him blossom like that genuinely gives me a boost and part of that drives me to play good footy.
“Benny McKay too, we’ve done a lot of work together, and he’s just got an attitude to get better and in turn it actually makes me get better and I absolutely love the group.”
North Melbourne's General Manager of Football, Brady Rawlings, claimed that he was thrilled that Hall's wise, and, at times, cornrowed, head would remain at the corner of Fogarty and Arden Street.
“Hally has been a real asset to the team in the backline with the way we want to play the game,” the three-time Syd Barker medallist said.
“The coaches thought his attributes would be suited to a role off half-back and he’s taken the opportunity with both hands.
“His experience, along with his pace, penetrating kick, and run and carry is really important to our game plan and he has continued to work on the defensive side to his game this season.
“We’ve been extremely impressed with his development this season and his ability to not only bring his teammates into the game, but work with them to help develop their games.”
Hall's career total of games currently stands at 144, with the last 41 coming in a Roos' guernsey.
The defender will celebrate his 31st birthday prior to the commencement of the 2021 season.