With the recent appointment of Adam Simpson as senior coach of West Coast, it widens the North Melbourne influence to yet another club.

Currently 13 of the other 17 AFL clubs have a link to North via their coaching panel, whether it be through ex-players or ex-coaches.

Speaking about the acquisition of Nick Dal Santo recently, GM of list management Cam Joyce uttered the following line:

“There’s a lot of selling points about the club and the culture we hold really dear. It’s the envy of some other clubs out there.”

Not only was it relevant for Dal Santo but it also seems to apply to other rivals. It seems the much talked about Shinboner Spirit gives recently retired players and coaches a head start when they submit their CV.

Already in the off-season West Coast and Melbourne have dipped into the North pool to secure Adam Simpson and Brett Allison respectively.

Following the appointment of Simpson as senior coach at the Eagles, the former club captain and premiership player was able to convince Brady Rawlings to join him at Patersons Stadium.

In alphabetical order, here are the clubs with a link to Aegis Park.

Peter Jonas – Adelaide
Time at North: 1981-1988 (player)
Leigh Harding – Brisbane
Time at North: 2001-2012 (player and coach)
Matthew Capuano – Carlton
Time at North: 1994-2000; 2006-2007 (player and coach)
Rodney Eade – Collingwood
Time at North: 1992-1995 (coach)
Craig Jennings – Essendon
Time at North: 1990-1992; 2000-2002 (player and coach)
Mark Thompson - Essendon
Time at North: 1999 (coach)
Alastair Clarkson – Hawthorn
Time at North: 1986-1995 (player)
Brett Allison – Melbourne
Time at North: 1987-1999; 2009-2013 (player and coach)
Jade Rawlings – Melbourne
Time at North: 2006 (player)
Stuart Cochrane – Port Adelaide
Time at North: 1998-2002 (player)
Danny Daly – Richmond
Time at North: 2003-2009 (coach)
Ross Smith - Richmond
Time at North: 1984-1996; 2000 (player and coach)
Dean Laidley – St Kilda
Time at North: 1993-1997; 2003-2009 (player and coach)
John Longmire – Sydney
Time at North: 1988-1999 (player)
John Blakey – Sydney
Time at North: 1993-2002 (player)
Adam Simpson – West Coast
Time at North: 1995-2009 (player)
Brady Rawlings – West Coast
Time at North: 1999-2013 (player and coach)
Shannon Grant – Western Bulldogs
Time at North: 1998-2008 (player)

All details taken from the AFL Coaches Association website.