NORTH Melbourne legend Brent Harvey will return to the club next year in a mentoring capacity.
As part of the role, Harvey will work with the club's father-son prospects and the next generation academy.
Bailey Scott (son of Robert) and Nick Blakey (son of John) loom as exciting prospects for the NAB AFL Draft in 2018. Joel Crocker (son of Darren) will also be available in the same year.
North will likely face competition for Scott and Blakey – Scott could also join Geelong as a father-son choice or Gold Coast through its academy, while Blakey could go to the Brisbane Lions (father-son) or Sydney (academy).
Harvey is on holiday in the United States with his family but will return to help develop the younger players, as well as continuing as ambassador of the Harvey's Heroes clinic.
"I'm really happy to be returning to Arden Street," Harvey told nmfc.com.au.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the next generation of players come through and really start making their mark on the competition.
"I'll take a hands-on role with them over the next two years, helping to guide them and be there as a support mechanism in terms of their on-field and off-field development.
"I just want North to be successful and to remain a part of the team is really exciting and I can't wait to get started."
Harvey was told the Kangaroos would not keep him on for next season as a player and explored interest from other clubs before opting to retire.
He broke the record this year for most ever AFL games and finished with 432.
