North Melbourne is pleased to confirm Xavier Clarke will join the club as an assistant coach.

Clarke played 106 games for St Kilda and Brisbane from 2002-2010 before two knee reconstructions in the space of two-and-a-half years forced him into an early retirement in 2011. 

Following his playing career, Clarke worked at both the AFL and AFLPA in various roles within Indigenous engagement and programs.

Appointed senior coach of the NT Thunder for the 2014 NEAFL season, Clarke was named NEAFL coach of the year in his first season and coached his side to a premiership in 2015.

Clarke joined Richmond as a development coach at the end of 2016, before being appointed VFL coach ahead of the 2020 season. Despite the VFL season not going ahead in 2020, Clarke moved into a key development role throughout that year which saw Richmond win the 2020 AFL Premiership.

Clarke moved into a line coaching role that has seen him oversee the club's forward line over the past two seasons.

North Melbourne's general manager of football Todd Viney said the club was pleased to have a person of Clarke's experience join the club.

"We are really pleased to have Xavier join our club," Viney said.

"A highly talented player and now a highly talented coach, Xavier understands what it takes to achieve the ultimate success having coached his own team, the NT Thunder, to a premiership and played a part in three premierships at Richmond. 

"His eight years at Punt Road have seen him build his coaching experience and undertake an array of roles. He also understands the challenges that football can bring, having faced a number of injury setbacks over his career.

"The way in which he has forged a successful coaching career is a credit to him, and we see him as a perfect fit for our club."