North Melbourne star Ben Brown. Picture: AFL Photos

NORTH Melbourne was edging towards a new deal for star forward Ben Brown before contract talks were put on ice due to the game's indefinite shutdown.

AFL.com.au reported last month about the 27-year-old's new deal being stopped in its tracks by the COVID-19 impact on the game.

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The League informed clubs it will not be accepting any new contracts while uncertainty remains about the shape of lists next year and the possibility of shrinking salary caps.

The Kangaroos' new head of player personnel Scott Clayton told AFL.com.au that all contract discussions had been stopped.

"It's certainly on hold. That edict came out from the AFL that there'd be no contract extensions accepted at this point so that continues," he said on the Road to the Draft podcast.

"As much as we are certainly down the line in a few instances, that is on hold until we get back to playing."

Brown is the Roos' highest priority re-signing this year, with the spearhead having booted 60 or more goals in the past three years.

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Clayton said all indications were that Brown was heading towards a recommitment.

"Clearly, he's very, very important and so well respected in our group, there's no question about that," he said.

"From the conversations I've been in with (football manager) Brady Rawlings and (list manager) Glenn Luff, it was going particularly well the conversation with Adam Ramanauskas.

"I think certainly our club would hope that [he'll be with North long-term] and our team was pleased with how it was progressing, that's for sure."

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Taylor Garner, Jamie Macmillan, Mason Wood, Majak Daw and Ben Jacobs are also out of contract at the end of this year as unrestricted free agents, with Wood being put on the trade table last year.

Developing ruckman Tristan Xerri had started talks for a contract extension before the coronavirus halt, while fellow youngsters Will Walker, Paul Ahern and Curtis Taylor are also without deals for 2021.