Leigh Adams will lead North Melbourne’s VFL/East Coast team this season as coach.

Having re-joined North as a development coach at the end of 2019, the former Kangaroos’ 104-game player will continue to work closely with the club’s younger players and build its next generation.

Adams’ coaching experience includes two seasons as senior coach of Coburg in the VFL, following a two-year stint at South Croydon where he led the team to the 2017 EFL premiership.

“Leigh will be a great fit for the team, aided by Gavin Brown, and our other coaches throughout the year,” North GM football Brady Rawlings said.

Former Hawthorn recruits, Harry Jones and Matt Walker, and former Gold Coast recruit, Jacob Heron, are among those who bring AFL experience.

Former Sandringham Zebras Captain, Kade Answerth, Northern Blues and Southport recruit, Tyler Roos, Box Hill players, Ryley Monkhorst and Connor Byrne, and former Brisbane Lion, Southport and Werribee player, Josh Clayton have also signed.

Rawlings said the club is delighted with the signings.   

“We’re really fortunate to have a coach like Leigh lead our VFL/East Coast team,” Rawlings said.

“He’s built some really strong relationships with players from his time as a player and development coach and we know that will extend to our new signings.

“The experience we are bringing in is really strong but what was particularly important for us was to bring players in that still have AFL ambitions and are under our watchful eyes.

“These guys either know what it’s like to be in the AFL system or bring a high level of experience from various VFL and NEAFL clubs.

“We want to be competitive but also develop our younger AFL talent, so striking the balance between experience and youth is really important.”

Meanwhile, Alex Polidoris and Louis Cunningham have recommitted, while Mark Baker, Curtis Brown, Hamish Dick, and Jack Watkins, have signed as Development Listed players. 

The program for these players will commence at the start of February, run by North Melbourne Development coaches.

The signings are in addition to the six Tasmanian State League players.