He’s one of the most respected names in the game and now former Collingwood premiership player Gavin Brown will call Aegis Park home after agreeing to join the Kangaroos.

An AFL Hall of Fame member and most recently an assistant coach at Carlton, Brown moves to North Melbourne and will become a key member of the club’s coaching panel.

“Gavin’s appointment further bolsters our off-field strength and his experience, knowledge and leadership will be invaluable,” North’s General Manager of Football Operations Jon Haines said.

Brown played 255 games with the Magpies, captaining them from 1994.  His long list of achievements includes being a dual All-Australian, three-time best and fairest winner, captain of Victoria, Collingwood Hall of Fame and Team of the Century member and two-time EJ Whitten medal recipient.

“Gavin’s credentials speak for themselves and we are delighted he’s elected to join us,” Haines added.

Brown’s signing comes just days after the Roos announced Geoff Walsh as director of football, Leigh Tudor as senior assistant coach, Ben Dyer as development manager and John Donehue as tackling coach.  In an off-field re-shuffle, Shane Watson will now be responsible for the forward-line and Josh Drummond the back-line.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the last three years at Carlton and made some fantastic friends there and built some strong relationships with the players,” Brown said.

“As disappointed as I am to be leaving, it’s also a great opportunity to go across to North who are also on the way up.

“I’m really excited because I see North as being another club on the move.  They have fantastic talent there and are really exciting to watch, so I really can’t wait to join the players and coaches in a few weeks.”