Two-time premiership coach Denis Pagan has described Anthony Stevens as “the epitome of everything good about North Melbourne”.

Stevens is set to be elevated to Legend status in the club’s Hall of Fame at Friday night’s ‘A Celebration of Shinboner Spirit’ event, becoming just the eighth player to achieve the honour.

“He was tough, courageous, and he was never beaten. He was coachable no matter what happened and he always has a smile on his face,” Pagan told the The Herald Sun.

“That just typifies what is great about him. When you think of the Shinboner Spirit and Australian footy, what kind of bloke do you want? It’s Anthony Stevens.

“He is probably the epitome of everything good about North Melbourne and the Shinboner Spirit.”

Pagan spoke of Stevens’ ability to overcome adversity, pointing to the 1999 Grand Final.

“It was 1999 and I am not too sure many others I coached would have got anywhere playing like Stevo,’’ he said.

“I had a test if you have got an ankle injury where if you can hop up and down on Tuesday you give yourself a chance.

“By Thursday you have to be able to hop sideways.

“(He failed both) but his courage and the assistance of Harry Unglik and the team got him over the line. He is just a special individual.’’

Pagan said Stevens simply pushed himself for his team, time and time again.

“He was never beaten and never had to come off. We talk about rotations now. Rotations schmotations. Anthony Stevens didn’t need to rotate,” he added.

Stevens will be honored by over 500 guests at Friday night’s celebration, which features a 20-year reunion of the 1996 premiership team.