Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes says star key forward Ben Brown should feel insulted by North Melbourne’s reluctance to offer more than a three-year deal right now.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of October and at the peak of his powers, slotting more than 60 goals in each of the past three years.

Despite booting 21 goals more than any other player since the start of 2017, the Tasmanian is yet to be named in the All-Australian side and continues to be underrated.

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Round 18

Ben Brown kicks at goal in Hobart. Source: News Corp Australia

It is understood that Brown is looking for a four-year deal from the Kangaroos, but the club is yet to increase their offer beyond three years.

After trying to poach a handful of big names in recent years – Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Jordan De Goey, Isaac Heeney and Andrew Gaff – with zero success, Cornes is staggered by North Melbourne’s stance on Brown.

“I’d be pretty offended if I was Ben Brown right now,” Cornes wrote on sen.com.au on Friday.

“This is the same North Melbourne that has offered nearly every big-name, out-of-contract player massive, multimillion-dollar, long-term contracts in recent years.

“They went fishing for a raft of players including Isaac Heeney, Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Andrew Gaff and threw a 'godfather' $5 million dollar deal at Jordan De Goey that he knocked back.

“Besides Martin, Brown is the equal or better than all of the targets North have tried desperately to attract. In an era where outstanding key forwards are rare, Brown has kicked more goals than any other player in the game in the last three seasons.

“188 goals in the last three years – yet North are only offering him three seasons. I’d be offended by that.”

Ben Brown celebrates a goal last season. Picture: MATT THOMPSON Source: News Corp Australia



Cornes said the Kangaroos are taking advantage of Brown’s personality and the perception he will remain loyal to North Melbourne, but should take better care of one of their stars.

“It seems to me that North are trying to exploit Brown because he’s a good bloke, low maintenance, loyal and loves the club. That’s just not right,” he said.

“Ben Brown is far and away North’s best player and a top 20 player in the AFL. He should be rewarded and treated as such.

“A three-year offer on the back of the ridiculous proposals North have shelved out to lesser players in recent years is nothing but insulting.”

Brown is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 after injuring his calf at training last month.

North Melbourne faces Sydney in Hobart on Monday in their final game of the Marsh Community Series.