THIS is not a news story. A news story is when we tell you something you didn't know or couldn't have reasonably assumed. This is not one of those occasions.

Brent Harvey was yesterday appointed the new captain of North Melbourne Football Club.

This appointment would only have been news had Brent Harvey not been made North's new skipper.

After a challenging year or two at North, this sort of non-news — as well as confirming a new apparel sponsor on a more lucrative contract — is a welcome change.

"In the end, one of the biggest marks for me was the players were very, very keen for Boomer (Harvey) to be their captain and for Drew (Petrie) to be their vice-captain and for me that was a really strong indication," coach Dean Laidley said.

"Perhaps four or five or six years ago, we were probably not in this position (with Harvey) but we have seen him grow with his family and what he does with the younger guys, and seen him grow inside the football club and outside the football club. We thought, as a club, he was the best man for the job."

The most decorated and talented player at the club, Harvey was also recently the Australian team captain in the international rules series.

If you were searching for news at Arden Street yesterday, it might have been found in the observation of Harvey that in his 13 years at North, he has played under three captains — Wayne Carey, Anthony Stevens and Adam Simpson — but it was Simpson, not the oft-lauded Carey, who taught him most about leadership.

Of course, Carey's role in his own demise at North might have had something to do with a changed perspective on his leadership.

"I have easily learnt the most from Adam so it is good to have him there to bounce some ideas off him — even if he doesn't want me to, I will ask him," Harvey said.

With the support he has from Simpson and his deputies, Harvey believes little will change for him in his role, and he doubts that it will be a terribly onerous task.

"It's not going to be a hugely challenging job. Get around to the boys and not change too much," Harvey said.

He has only one hope for the job and the type of captain he will be: "Hopefully a winning captain."