Leigh Adams has entered the position of interim senior coach with some serious pedigree within the four walls of North Melbourne.

Those old enough to have watched Adams in his playing days will remember him as a classy yet no-nonsense inside midfielder. The amount of courage he possessed allowed him to play far above his size and often made him seem 10 feet tall.

Since his retirement in 2015 though he's been building up to his current position. Here's five things you might not know about our newest coach.

1. He captained Vic Metro in his draft year

Despite missing out on being selected in the 2006 national draft, Leigh Adams finished his draft year with one of the most potent lists of achievements out of anyone pursuing their AFL dream that season.

After impressing for the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup, Adams was selected to lead the Vic Metro side in that season’s state carnival.

Not only did Vic Metro win the tournament with a 100 per cent winning record, Adams was selected in the Under 18 All-Australian side for his performances and was named on the interchange. He was also named as the side’s most valuable player ahead of a dominant forward by the name of Tom Hawkins.

2. He's part of one of North's most successful ever draft classes

There are few North Melbourne draft classes that can hold a candle to the club's haul of rookies ahead of the 2007 season. The eight players selected in the national, pre-season and rookie drafts combined for a total of 911 games - and that total is still increasing thanks to Todd Goldstein’s remarkable longevity.

Lachie Hansen led the class of Kangaroos after being selected at pick three. Although injuries curtailed his career he still managed an impressive 151 performances in royal blue and white as he swung between key defence and key forward.

Pacy half-back flanker Gavin Urquhart was taken with pick 21. His career is a case of  'what might have been' in North colours. While he was an exciting player it seemed he just couldn’t lock into his potential.

Goldstein was taken at pick 37 and currently sits on 289 games to go with his Syd Barker Medal and solitary All-Australian selection. Livewire forward Lindsay Thomas was selected with pick 53 and would go on to kick over 300 goals in royal blue and white.

VFL star Aaron Edwards was next at pick 82. After struggling at West Coast he returned to the VFL and kicked 100 goals in the 2005 VFL season with Coburg. Ben Ross was selected in the pre-season draft and played 14 games for the club.

Adams was the final name read out by North Melbourne that year, having to wait until weeks after the national draft to be selected in the rookie draft. He’d prove to be an inspired selection though, playing 104 games before injury and concussion forced him into an early retirement.

3. He's been working his way through the coaching ranks since his retirement

Injury-affected careers are far too frequent in the AFL. The explosive, contact heavy nature of the game pushes the human body to its absolute limit and, unfortunately, some just can’t back it up time and time again.

Adams’ career was unfortunately one of these. He began his career with hip issues in his draft year and would go on to suffer a serious knee injury in 2008 before a shoulder issue in 2012. Repeat concussions would force him into retirement after the 2015 season.

Rather than feel sorry for what might have been, Adams’ early retirement meant he could forge ahead with his coaching ambitions from an early age.

Starting back at local level with South Croydon, Adams’ side narrowly avoided relegation into division two in his first season in charge before rebounding to win the premiership in his second year.

Coburg’s VFL side then came calling. Adams quickly forged a reputation as one of the most promising young coaches at reserve level thanks to the improvement of his side under trying circumstances.

He then returned to Arden Street as a development coach before taking over as the club’s VFL senior coach ahead of the cancelled 2021 season. While there were a number of difficult results the side would bounce back and win five of its last six games before the season was called off due to Covid.

4. He's one of the most successful No.13s in club history

While the numbers 11, 18 and 27 may be some of the most revered at Arden Street, every jumper number has a history behind it, and Leigh Adams’ old number 13 is no different.

After playing two games in his first season on the list wearing number 40, Adams switched to the 13 in 2007 and is only behind the legendary John Law and two-time premiership player John ‘Crazy Horse’ Cowton for games played in the guernsey.

Law played for the club for over a decade after making his debut in the 1978 season and would go on to captain the club in 1988 and 1989. He played 219 games primarily in the backline and kicked nine goals. Cowton played a crucial role in the 1975 and 1977 premiership triumphs before moving to Footscray. He returned to the club in 1983 for two final seasons in royal blue and white.

Adams also ranks third in goals kicked in the jumper with 72, behind Frank Goode (107) and John Dowling (79).

5. He’s one of the top value rookie draft picks in the club history

North Melbourne has a habit of finding diamonds in the rough in the rookie draft. From club legend and spiritual leader Michael Firrito to current danger forward Cam Zurhaar, the club has a knack for identifying raw talent.

In terms of games played by a rookie selection, Adams sits sixth on North Melbourne’s all-time list. Firrito sits proudly atop the rankings with 245 games played for the club, while Leigh Harding (141) and Sam Gibson (130) make up the podium.

Cult hero Scott McMahon managed 124 games for the club and looks set to soon be surpassed by Kayne Turner who has played 115 games and counting. Adams follows him with 104 games for the club between 2007 and 2015.