When the Kangaroos headed up the Hume Highway for a visit to community club Broadford FNC earlier this month, they found a familiar face in charge.

The Broadford Kangaroos are rebuilding. The club has been in voluntary recess since the end of 2023, after a stint in the Northern Metro League proved unsustainable.

Now, former North Melbourne fan favourite Nathan Thompson is leading their return from the brink.

Appointed senior coach in July, Thompson is preparing to relaunch the club in the division one Bendigo League next season.

He said the call to take charge came from a familiar voice.

"The vice-president at Broadford, Steve Sharp, used to be football manager at the Bendigo Pioneers, so I’ve known Steve for years," he told NMFC Media.

"I was in a corporate role, but I had the urge to get back into footy and he’d been hassling me a fair bit to take the role. The club had been in a rough spot, so I decided to get involved."

Thompson spent four seasons at Arden Street after crossing from Hawthorn at the end of 2004. He made an immediate impact, twice topping North Melbourne’s goalkicking before injuries shortened his career.

He says he still holds deep respect for the senior figures who shaped his time at the club.

"Adam Simpson, Glenn Archer, Boomer Harvey, Drew Petrie, and lots of others, they were fantastic people," he said. 

"We might not have had a team of superstars, but we had a hardworking group that squeezed everything out of itself. There were some really enjoyable years. 

"Unfortunately, injuries hurt me after the first two, but that’s football."

Thompson said coaching has allowed him to draw on lessons learned both during and after his AFL career. 

"You learn a lot about how you like the game played, but it's a big footballing world," he said. "I've learned just as much after (my AFL career) as well."

At Broadford, his immediate task has been rebuilding player numbers and re-establishing the club’s foundations.

On the Kangaroos' visit, Luke McDonald, Colby McKercher, Zac Fisher and Aidan Corr spent time coaching and connecting with the club's junior players.

"We’ve been working very hard to get good people involved, which has been fantastic," Thompson said. 

"The (senior) numbers are really good. We’re now moving on to our juniors, so having the North Melbourne boys down is excellent.

"It's pretty rare that they get an opportunity to spend time like this with AFL players. 

"It gives them motivation and really helps them to enjoy their football. 

"It's a small bit of effort for the Kangaroos and their players, but the impact it will have on these young people is profound."

Help the Broadford Kangaroos rebound

Broadford FNC is inviting expressions of interest for junior players next season.

Under-18 players can submit an expression of interest here.

Under-16 players are encouraged to email the Broadford Junior FNC secretary here.