NORTH Melbourne has bolstered its coaching staff by securing highly regarded assistant Rhyce Shaw from Sydney.

North announced Shaw's appointment on Tuesday morning, a move that follows the recent departure of long-time Roos assistant coach Josh Drummond to Gold Coast.

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"Rhyce will bring a wealth of experience," North football manager Cameron Joyce said.

"He spent his career as a valuable defender and has had the past 12 months with the Swans' back six, so we expect him to transition into the role very smoothly." 

Shaw was the line coach for Sydney's backline this season after spending the previous two years as coach of the club's NEAFL side. 

He played 94 games with Collingwood from 2000-08 before requesting a trade to Sydney, where he played 143 games from 2009-15 and was a member of the club's 2012 premiership team.

Following his retirement, Shaw moved into coaching with the Swans and quickly made an impression.

He was named the NEAFL's coach of the year in his first season, 2016, and won the AFL Coaches Association's assistant coach of the year award last year.

"Rhyce's record speaks for itself and he led the Swan's NEAFL side to consecutive minor premierships and two Grand Finals," Joyce said.