Just two years after the Western Bulldogs' drought-breaking grand final win, Jordan Roughead admits his AFL career had become stale and he needed a fresh start away from Whitten Oval.
After 138 games with the Dogs, the premiership ruckman is delighted to have landed at Collingwood, who gave up a fourth-round pick for the athletic 28-year-old.
Having spent time in the VFL this season, Roughead followed 2016 premiership stars Luke Dahlhaus and Jake Stringer out the door.
But Roughead rejects any suggestion of a rift between he and premiership coach Luke Beveridge.
"It was more about me searching for the place that I thought I'd play my best footy and I didn't know if that was the Bulldogs any more," Roughead told reporters on Tuesday.
"I loved my time there and take some great memories from the place, but I'd got a little bit stale and was just searching out somewhere special.
"I'd made a decision at the end of the season that I wanted to search for a new opportunity, a new club to call home.
"I'd got a little bit stale at the Bulldogs, I'd spent 10 years there, and I was just looking for a freshen up and an opportunity to turn myself into the best player I can be for the last few years of my career."
The free agent appeared set to join West Coast but they signed St Kilda tall Tom Hickey to replace departed premiership ruckman Scott Lycett, who joined Port Adelaide.
Roughhead admits it was a nervous and unsettling period for him before a trade was eventually worked out with the Pies.
Refreshed after a trip to the United States and reinvigorated by his new AFL environment, Roughead is intent on locking down a key defensive post with the occasional run in the ruck in Nathan Buckley's side.
"I've still got a real passion for the game and I think my best footy is in front of me," he said.
"It's great that this opportunity came up. I think I'll spend a fair bit of time as a key back, but I'm open to playing any position that the coach sees fit."
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