JAYMIE Graham has been unveiled as North Melbourne's new senior coach, with the highly-regarded Fremantle assistant signing a three-year deal to lead the Kangaroos into their next era.

Graham's long wait for a senior coaching opportunity is now over after the Roos officially announced him as Alastair Clarkson's successor on Tuesday.

Clarkson, who lead the Roos over the past four seasons, was sensationally sacked in September with one year remaining on his contract.

Long viewed as a senior coach in waiting, Graham's credentials continued to grow this season after reaching the latter stages of coaching searches at both Carlton and Essendon.

Graham presented to the board on Monday and beat David Hale, Daniel Giansiracusa and Xavier Clarke to the job.

The 43-year-old arrives at Arden Street after a coaching apprenticeship spanning more than a decade. He began coaching in 2012 and has held roles at St Kilda, West Coast and Fremantle, while also taking charge of his own team at WAFL level.

Having overseen the Dockers' forward line in recent seasons, Graham played a key role in the growth of the Grand Finalist's young tall forwards. 

Graham won over North's selection panel, headed by CEO Jen Watt, football boss Todd Viney, football director Andrew Swallow and Collingwood champion Steele Sidebottom.

The Roos made no secret of their desire to find a coach with recent experience in a high-performing AFL program and were on the hunt for someone "who can coach for the modern game".

That search has now led the Kangaroos to Graham, who will be now be tasked with transforming one of the competition's most promising young lists into a team capable of challenging deep into September.

Graham fronted media for the first time after being unveiled on Tuesday, saying he already felt like he's in the right place.

"It's amazing how life works - I've missed out on a few opportunities ... but things happen for a reason," he said.

"I really feel like I belong already, with the people I've met.

"It's very similar - Fremantle are a port city, blue-collar, and I've walked in here, Arden St, Shinboners."

Asked if he would bring Wharfie Time across, Graham replied it is now "Northy Time".

Graham has spent five years at Fremantle and was appointed at North Melbourne only days after the Dockers' heartbreaking Grand Final loss to Brisbane.

"All I will say is I've been involved (at) Fremantle, we've just played in a grand final, so I'm confident I'm up to speed with where the game's at," he said.

"Then - we're dealing with people and I don't think that's changed, the fact that you need to care first and then hold them accountable.

"People don't care how much you know until they know much you care."

In a letter to members on Tuesday morning, club president Sonja Hood said Graham had "the resilience to handle the relentless toils of the football environment, carrying the exact kind of grit we value at North Melbourne."

"As a coach, Jaymie is a process-driven leader with a quiet, grounded presence, sharp attention to detail, and a clear football vision," Hood said in the statement to members.

"He is widely respected across the industry as a developer of talent and a connector of people - someone who builds strong player relationships instantly and earns respect through his actions.

"Our selection panel ... felt the alignment of Jaymie's personal values with those of our club, along with all of his extensive football credentials and clear capabilities, made him the very best person to take our club forward.

"Jaymie arrives at our club at a time the foundations are well and truly set and will lead a playing group ready to roll up their sleeves. Jaymie will get to work straight away, engaging in our trade and draft activities."

Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty congratulated Graham and paid tribute to the impact he has had on-and-off field.

"Jaymie has had a significant impact not only on our player group - but the entire football department and broader Club," he said.

"It is well documented that Jaymie has had ambitions of becoming a senior coach in his own right one day, and we couldn't be prouder or happier for him to take an opportunity he’s worked so hard for."

Hood and Viney were in the audience on Tuesday at Arden St as Graham fronted media alongside chief executive Jen Watt. It was Hood and Viney who took questions from journalists on September 1 after Clarkson was sacked, speaking bluntly about why the coaching great had been axed.

Clarkson, in turn, gave a media interview and said the club had publicly humiliated him, accusing the North hierarchy of dancing on his grave.

Clarkson was the elephant in the Kangaroos' room as Graham officially took over.

"Today is really about Jaymie, but I would say is that we'll be forever grateful for the foundations that Alastair laid at this club over the last few years," Watt said when asked about Clarkson's sacking.

"He was the right time and the right coach for us, for that period.

"It's evidenced by where the group's at now and the steps we're ready to take forward."

Graham and Watt would not give a timeframe on how long it might take for North to return to the finals, but he is encouraged by the state of the club and their playing list.

"There's already been a lot of work done ... I want to contribute to that environment," he said.

"There's clearly some talent on this list, but there's also some work to do."

Graham also warned the process would not be linear.

"It could be a little bit clunky. It will be like driving a manual car, for the older people in the room who learned with one," he said.

- with AAP