North Melbourne have confirmed the addition of Richmond assistant Xavier Clarke to their coaching ranks for 2024.
Clarke's Punt Road departure comes after his candidacy for the senior coaching vacancy at the Tigers, which saw him in contention alongside fellow Richmond assistant Andrew McQualter, Hawthorn assistant Chris Newman and Melbourne assistant Adem Yze.
The latter would be successful in being appointed as Damien Hardwick's successor, while Newman has decided to leave the Hawks in favour of a return to Richmond to work under Yze.
McQualter's future is yet to be confirmed, however the interim coach is expected to depart the club following the appointment of Yze.
A decision to leave Richmond would see McQulater join Clarke in heading out the door, with the Kangaroos unveiling the acquisition of the former St Kilda and Brisbane midfielder on Tuesday.
Clarke leaves the Tigers after eight years, where he served as head coach of the club's VFL side and as a lieutenant to the departed Damien Hardwick.
โWe are really pleased to have Xavier join our club,โ North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney said in a club statement.
โA highly talented player and now a highly talented coach, Xavier understands what it takes to achieve the ultimate success having coached his own team, the NT Thunder,ย to a premiership and played a part in three premierships at Richmond.
โHis eight years at Punt Road have seen him build his coaching experience and undertake an array of roles. He also understands the challenges that football can bring, having faced a number of injury setbacks over his career.
โThe way in which he has forged a successful coaching career is a credit to him, and we see himย asย a perfect fit for our club.โ
Clarke first joined the AFL system from Darwin via the 2001 National Draft, where he joined St Kilda as the fifth overall selection.
He would play 105 games in the red, white and black before leaving for Brisbane at the end of 2009. Clarke would play just one game for the Lions over two years before returning to the Northern Territory following a battle with injury.
