NORTH Melbourne recruit Jaidyn Stephenson has backed Robert Harvey to take over as senior coach of the club.
Collingwood assistant Harvey is in the mix for the role vacated by Rhyce Shaw, who stood down for personal reasons last month.
Brisbane football manager David Noble and West Coast assistant Jaymie Graham have also been linked to the Kangaroos job, although Graham recently confirmed his commitment to the Eagles in 2021.
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North is tipped to appoint Shaw's successor by the end of November.
Stephenson, who joined North from Collingwood during the Trade Period last week, worked under St Kilda legend Harvey during three seasons at the Magpies.
He said the dual Brownlow medallist is a strong candidate for his first senior coaching role after more than a decade as an assistant at multiple clubs.
"He's one of the better blokes I've met and he's a really good person in terms of building relationships," Stephenson said.
"He also knows his footy very well.
"Harvs is a great candidate and I don't really (mind) who gets it but I hope he does."
Stephenson was one of four players offloaded by Collingwood as part of the club's messy trade period fire sale last week.
The 21-year-old, who accepted a five-year contract with North Melbourne, insisted he wasn't concerned by the uncertainty surrounding the club's senior coaching position.
"I trust the judgement of the people choosing the coach that they'll choose a good person that will want to put the club heading in the right direction," Stephenson said.
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"I've got great confidence in the fact that the support staff around (the new head coach) are great.
"I'll back that in and that's made my decision (to join North) a lot easier."
North's coaching selection panel is made up of chief executive Ben Amarfio, football manager Brady Rawlings, board members Glenn Archer and Sonja Hood, leadership expert Terry Coyne and AFL premiership coach Paul Roos.