The 31-year-old's decision to join North Melbourne ends his three-year stint.

"I'm keen to continue playing in the VFL and be that older leader in a mentoring role, plus it's only 15-20 minutes from home," he explained.

"There's a $20 mil facility, you have full access to physios and masseurs two to three times a week and you're only young once, I was fortunate to play in that '17 flag in Wangaratta, so I've done that now locally."

The classy forward will never be forgotten for his efforts in that stunning grand final win over Albury.

The Tigers were chasing a league record-equalling fourth straight title and had lost only one game, but the underdogs posted a 21-point win.

Michael Newton won the Did Simpson Medal with eight goals, but the crafty Speight also booted three, including the only two in the match from around 50m.

"The belief we had inside the group in '17 was next level, I probably don't have words to describe it, we knew Albury was gettable," he declared.

Speight moved to Bacchus Marsh the next season in an effort to kick-start his career as a pilot, but he returned for 2019.

COVID forced 2020 to be abandoned and Speight played only six games this year, for eight goals, as he split his time with the VFL.

"It was going to be half a season in the VFL and the other half in the O and M, but COVID really stuffed things up," he revealed.

"I spent three months away from Wangaratta there, which was not the plan."

The opportunistic Speight finishes his Pies' stint with 94 goals from 45 games.

"Starting to develop some of these young kids that will hopefully play AFL one day is something I really enjoyed this year, I've changed the focus with my footy this year, I guess," he offered.

Despite playing only five games for North Melbourne, the right-footer won the goalkicking with 10, playing as a deep forward.

Speight and fellow forward Josh Porter (Werribee) are the only confirmed departures from the team which was second when the season was called off after 13 rounds.

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"They've been great players for the footy club and we'll hopefully get them back for the presentation night this weekend," coach Ben Reid said.

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