SAM SWITKOWSKI is returning to clubland just months after sensationally retiring at just 29.
The former Fremantle forward is set to join North Melbourne as a development coach.
New Kangaroos coach Jaymie Graham coached Switkowski when he looked after the forward line at the Dockers.
That tight connection between Graham and Switkowski isn't expected to change his mind around playing again across the pre-season, but is viewed as a boost for North Melbourne's coaching panel.
Victorian clubs approached Switkowski across 2026 to play with them when it emerged he was considering a return home for family reasons.
But despite playing 26 games for Fremantle this year, including all four finals, Switkowski decided his nine-year AFL playing career was over in August, rather than playing on for a new team.
Essendon was understood to be among the other clubs that chased Switkowski for a football department role.
But now the Box Hill Hawks product will join Graham at Arden Street in a new role, working alongside recent addition Kane Lambert in the development team.
North Melbourne isn't expected to make many other changes to the coaching panel at this stage.
Jed Adcock made a call to depart even before Alastair Clarkson was sacked by the Kangaroos at the start of September.
Tom Lynch was head of development before Lambert arrived and is set for a line role in 2027, along with Zane Littlejohn in a rejig to the panel.
Xavier Clarke is in line to be promoted to a senior assistant role after being shortlisted for the senior vacancy at the club.