IN-DEMAND football administrator Geoff Walsh will return to North Melbourne as its director of football in a major off-field coup for the Roos.

Walsh was heavily courted by several clubs after he resigned as Collingwood football manager in late July, with Melbourne and Essendon among his suitors.

Walsh was North CEO from 2002-06 before joining the Pies in 2007.

"Geoff is, without a doubt, the most sought-after director of football in the competition, and to entice him back to North Melbourne is a tremendous coup for our club," Kangaroos' CEO Carl Dilena said on Tuesday.

 

"Geoff's decision to return further enhances our position as an exciting place to be with enormous upside and potential."

 

Walsh's appointment follows North's announcement at Monday night's Syd Barker Medal count that it was poised to secure Sydney Swans assistant Leigh Tudor as part of Brad Scott's coaching team, along with Claremont Colts coach Ben Dyer as its new development coach and former Melbourne Storm tackling coach John Donehue.

 

"The message to our supporters is clear: we are on the right track and these recent announcements are proof of that fact," Dilena said.

 

"Geoff will bring an enormous amount of expertise, knowledge and leadership to our club and we are delighted to have him back."

Walsh replaces Donald McDonald who will now head the club's commercial division.

Under Walsh, Jon Haines will remain North's football operations manager and Cameron Joyce its list manager.