SAM WRIGHT has finalised a one-year deal with North Melbourne after making a successful return from injury in 2018.

Wright was a key member of North's 2014 and 2015 preliminary final teams, but foot and ankle injuries restricted him to just eight senior games in 2016 and none last year.

The classy defender returned after 701 days on the sidelines in round seven this year and did not miss another game for the season, averaging 17.6 possessions and 5.1 marks in 16 matches.

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The 28-year-old's form was good enough that rival clubs inquired about him while he remained unsigned, but the unrestricted free agent turned his back on that interest to recommit to the Roos.

"Sam showed some great resilience in getting back to play senior footy and showed why he is so important to the team," North football manager Cameron Joyce said.

"He put a tremendous amount of time in the gym and with our medical team, so it was great to see him come back with such an impact after an extended period out of the game.

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"Sam has shown great determination and we'll be excited to see him build on his year with an uninterrupted pre-season."

Wright has played 132 games for North since being taken at pick No.27 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

In his last uninterrupted season, 2015, Wright finished equal-ninth in the AFL for rebound 50s and third at North for running bounces and marks.

The former Murray Bushranger gives the Kangaroos' backline an attacking edge with his intercept marking and elite foot skills on both feet.

Meanwhile, reborn midfielder Jed Anderson is set to sign a new two-year deal to remain at Arden St in the wake of a career-best season in 2018. 

The 24-year-old played 21 games, more than doubling his previous best single-season tally of 10, to help drive North's unlikely push to the brink of a finals berth.