New Geelong forward Aaron Black says his AFL trade wasn't about getting away from North Melbourne but rather about the opportunity the Cats presented.
Black played all 25 games for the Roos, including their preliminary final loss to Sydney, in 2014 but managed just three in 2015 and none at all last year.
The 25-year-old forward said it was obvious he could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
"Like any job, sometimes you kind of just get stuck and I just felt I needed a change of environment," Black said.
"A new set of eyes, something to spark me, and as soon as the trade went through I was over the moon.
"We actually didn't speak to Geelong until quite late, so it came as a bit of a surprise."
North traded Black for pick No.92, a pick they are unlikely to use at the draft, in a deadline day trade with the Cats.
Black couldn't break into the AFL after the Roos started this season on a nine-game winning streak and then suffered a serious ankle injury.
He admitted it has been a battle to maintain self-belief at times in the past two years, but harbours no ill will toward the Kangaroos.
"You do wish that you could play AFL every week, but it doesn't pan out like that (for everyone)," he said.
"It was frustrating but at the same time I wanted to better myself every time I went back to the VFL. There are parts of my game I really improved there.
"I did a lot of work on my contested marking last year ... I was pretty happy with how that went but I think I've spent enough time there and I'm ready to really have an impact at AFL level again."
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