North Melbourne's VFL outfit have revealed their fifth ex-AFL signature in as many days, with the Roos confirming former Geelong midfielder Nick Stevens has landed at Arden Street for the 2023 season.
Following the recently announced signings of Jarrod Lienert, Ben Davis, Connor Downie and Louis Butler, Stevens is the latest to add top-flight experience to Tom Lynch's side for the season ahead.
While Lienert will take on a part-time player-coaching role in his first season since departing St Kilda, the remaining quartet are set to feature heavily for the Roos in the VFL this year.
Stevens is expected to add run and poise as a versatile midfield option for North Melbourne this year, joining the club after two seasons at Kardinia Park.
Stevens went uncapped during his time under Chris Scott and would play 20 games for Geelong's reserves after joining the club from East Point as the 47th pick in the 2020 National Draft.
The 20-year-old was one of five players to be cut by the Cats at the end of the 2022 season, joined by Quinton Narkle, Paul Tsapatolis, Zane Williams and Francis Evans.
โ๏ธ Nick Stevens is officially a Roo!
Stevens joins North Melbourne's VFL side after two years on Geelong's senior list, and impresses on the field with his pace and distribution of the ball.
Let's get into it Nick! ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/7Sx72hbU6w
— North Melbourne VFL (@NorthVFL) January 29, 2023
Evans has been fortunate enough to find an AFL lifeline for the year ahead, having been picked up by Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent. At the same time, Narkle is a chance for an AFL list spot at Richmond as he continues to trial as a Supplemental Selection Period option for the Tigers.
The signing spree at North Melbourne has the club's reserves well-placed to improve on their four-win 2022 season, with their new campaign getting underway on the weekend of March 25-26.
The entire VFL fixture is likely to be released in the coming month.
