North Melbourne great Glenn Archer received bad legal advice from his former lawyer, a court has been told, and will appeal his conviction for assaulting a runner during a junior football game.

In September, Mr Archer was convicted and fined $2000 after pleading guilty to unlawfully assaulting the runner during a game at Heidelberg, when the former Kangaroos star was watching his son play.

Ex-footballer Glenn Archer leaving the County Court in Melbourne on Tuesday. Credit:Jason South

The two-time AFL premiership star told the County Court on Tuesday he was never told he could appeal against the conviction.

After hearing of the confusion Mr Archer encountered in his dealings with various lawyers, judge Paul Grant found in the former footballer's favour and set a three-day hearing for March, when he will plead not guilty to the charge.