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North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey has given new Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw a glowing endorsement.

Newly appointed North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw is the perfect fit for the club, according to Kangaroos legend Brent Harvey.

The AFL games record holder and 1999 premiership player says Shaw's promotion from interim coach is a reflection of his people management skills.

Shaw, who played 237 AFL games for Collingwood and Sydney, including the Swans' 2012 premiership, took over from Brad Scott midway through the season, having worked as the club's defensive coach for the past eight months.

Harvey recognised North Melbourne could have made a big-money play for premiership-winning coaches in Adam Simpson, Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire, all of whom played for the Kangaroos in the 1990s.

But he said Shaw, 37, who has a 4-4 record since taking over from Scott, demonstrated a quality that was becoming increasingly important in the modern football landscape.

"The relationships this guy builds is massive and that's the biggest thing in coaching today," Harvey told RSN 927.

"Could we have gone out and got a coach with a big name? Yes, I think we could have and that might have made the fans a bit more excited and up and about.

"But being on the inside, I can say this guy goes really well."