AFL free agency: Injury-plagued Hawk Brendan Whitecross joins the Kangaroos

Hawthorn veteran Brendan Whitecross has given up on his AFL dream but isn’t hanging up his boots entirely after signing with North Melbourne.

Whitecross will join the Kangaroos as a development coach, while also playing in the club’s VFL side.

“Brendan will play an instrumental role in helping to develop our younger players,” North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce said.

“He’s always had great versatility, playing forward, back or through the midfield, which will be beneficial.

“He knows what it takes to be successful and work through adversity and will set a great example for our younger players coming through.

“Brendan has shown great character, resilience and determination and he will be able to add great value to our team on and off the field.”

Whitecross was last week de-listed by Hawthorn after 111 games over 11 seasons. He finally added a premiership medal to his trophy cabinet after being part of the Box Hill Hawks’ VFL grand final team this year. The Hawks won four flags while he was on the list but he missed all of them, mostly through injury.

The Kangaroos have made a raft of signings this off-season including former Port Adelaide pair Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard, ex-Gold Coast Sun Aaron Hall and former Roo Dom Tyson.

Last week Hawthorn surprisingly signed delisted St Kilda forward Darren Minchington as a de-listed free agent.

The 24-year-old is known for his defensive pressure, with the Hawks looking to boost depth in that area following the shock retirement of superstar Cyril Rioli.

“Darren has been unlucky with injury during his career, but we have seen him excel in the VFL despite these challenges,” Hawthorn recruiting manager Mark McKenzie said.

“Darren is a young man of great character and we look forward to working with him to maximise his full potential.”

GWS also moved to lock in a de-listed free agent on the opening day of the de-listed free agency window, signing former Docker Tommy Sheridan.

Brisbane confirmed the signing of former Sun and Crow Jarryd Lyons.