North Melbourne stalwart Daniel Wells wants to extend his AFL career next year.

The 31-year-old is off-contract at the end of this season but hopes the Kangaroos offer him a new deal.

“I have just got to continue playing some good footy and (hope) the club sees fit that they want to hold on to me,” Wells told the Seven Network’s Game Day program on Sunday.

“The way preparation is now and how professional it is, blokes are playing a bit longer so, hopefully.”

Wells returned from a two-match absence because of Achilles soreness in North’s 26-point loss to Sydney on Friday night.

Wells defended his teammate Lindsay Thomas, who has been criticised by some pundits for playing for free kicks – he potted two goals after being tackled high in the defeat to the Swans.

“With Lindsay, he has copped a bit of stick over it,” Wells said.

“The (high) tackles were there.

“(Coach) Brad (Scott) always says to us, the onus is on the tackler to make sure you get a bit lower and a bit harder.”

Wells noted a trend throughout the competition for tackled players to drop their knees in a bid to be taken high.

“A lot of players are doing (it) … that’s a hard thing to do actually, to think that really quick to try and manipulate your movement and get a free kick, or give yourself a chance,” he said.

“I have never been able to do it. But (other) players are able to do it and there’s plenty of them in the competition.”