North Albury's favourite son Dan Leslie will return as an assistant coach next year.
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Leslie's supporting role to coach Isaac Muller was confirmed by club officials on Friday.
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"He's a young guy and taking on a role like that's a pretty big job, so I'll be able to give 'Izzy' a chop-out," Leslie said.
He's a young guy and taking on a role like that's a pretty big job ...I'll be his right-hand man and give him a hand.
- Dan Leslie
"I'll be his right-hand man and give him a hand with what he needs, he's still got to perform on game day and be a good player for us and hopefully this will continue to help him do that."
The role of playing-coach has limited the effectiveness of many players over the years, but Muller has featured in the best in 12 of his 15 games after he was appointed the youngest stand-alone coach in O and M history when he was appointed at just 22 years and eight weeks last September.
Written off by many as a wooden spoon certainty, North has stunned onlookers by snaring three wins to guarantee it won't collect sport's dreaded title.
"I think that Dan's level of professionalism will be a real positive and being just out of the game, he's going to know what players want and need, he'll be fantastic on the bench," Muller said of the club legend.
"He'll be able to support myself in training and game plans and also be a recruitment tool, a lot of blokes know Dan Leslie."
The 36-year-old became the only 300-game player with the Hoppers when he claimed a win in the club's final game last year.
He's spent this season with Henty.
Meanwhile, North's Tylar Young will make his VFL debut for Frankston today.
"Just his raw ability is the most impressive aspect," Muller said.
The 196cm utility is in his first year back after four years out.
"I've been doing one-on-one work in preparation," Young said.
Muller is battling a foot problem, while Lavington's Matt Pendergast believes he will beat a calf injury.
