EMERGING midfielder Paul Ahern has capped his successful return from two knee reconstructions by re-signing with North Melbourne until the end of 2020.

Ahern underlined his huge potential in North's 40-point win over West Coast at Blundstone Arena on Sunday, racking up 37 possessions and a game-high 12 clearances to earn eight votes in the AFLCA player of the year award.

The 21-year-old has been one of this year's feelgood stories after finally making his AFL debut in round 11 this year against Brisbane, almost four years after he was drafted by Greater Western Sydney with pick No.7 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

Ahern did not play a game for the Giants, failing to break into their talent-laden team in his first season before rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament twice the following year.

The Giants traded him to the Kangaroos at the end of 2016 for pick No.69, a deal that was largely driven by the expansion club's need to clear salary cap space.

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Ahern's recent form suggests the Kangaroos snared one of the biggest trade bargains of recent times.   

"Obviously it's really exciting. I'm keen to be here for another two years and I think the way we're playing at the moment, we can really go places in the next two years and beyond," Ahern told North Media on Tuesday.

Ahern spent all of his first season at Arden Street concentrating on his rehabilitation, but said he never had any serious doubts about whether he could return to play AFL football.

"I always thought if I worked hard on my rehab my opportunity would come to make my debut and I think I took that with both hands," he said.

Ahern's confidence was well placed.

After gradually regaining form and confidence with North VFL's team in the first half of this year, he has not missed a game since his round 11 debut, averaging 23 possessions and 3.6 clearances a game in a seamless transition into senior football.

"It feels like it's just gone real quick (since debuting), but I think having the likes of Ben Cunnington, 'Higgo' (Shaun Higgins) and Ben Jacobs in there has just really helped me with my form and then at training as well, just getting the right bodywork to play inside midfield. They've been massive for me," Ahern said.

"We have a few young boys coming through like Jy Simpkin, Ryan Clarke, those type of players, I think all of us got a really tight bond, close friendship, so I think that's going to hold us in really good stead for the next few years."

North football manager Cameron Joyce said the club was thrilled to have secured Ahern for another two seasons.

"He has worked really hard through rehab to get to where he is now and has put in some solid performances," Joyce said. 

"We see him as a vital part of our midfield now and in the future."