North Melbourne defender Majak Daw has revealed he nearly signed with Collingwood during his second season in the league.
Speaking on the Powershop Australia Players Podcast, Kangaroos veteran Sam Wright recounted a confession made by a young Daw to some of the playing group years ago while he was on the rookie list.
"Daw said: 'Boys, I've only been here a few years, but you're basically family to me'", Wright recalled.
"'This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever made in my life. Collingwood's offered me a contract, and I'm going to sign it when we get back. They want me to be the number one ruck.
"I'm going to Collingwood."
Wright then revealed that Daw re-signed with North Melbourne within the following days, but the Sudenese-born swingman's potential defect to the Pies has been a running joke amongst the Roos ever since.
Asked if he genuinely had an offer on the table from Collingwood, Daw confirmed: "Yeah I did. I thought about taking it.
"(They) offered me the opportunity to play and be off the rookie list, and play ruck. This was in my second year," he told the Powershop Australia Players Podcast.
"Thinking back now I was probably young and foolish."
Daw said he and his manager met with North Melbourne coach Brad Scott after considering the Pies offer to help make a decision, which put things into perspective.
"At that stage, being off the rookie list, this club's (North Melbourne) given me a chance to be at an AFL club. And I think those things outweigh anything really. So the decision was pretty easy.
"I probably had to work harder to get onto the list but I wouldn't have it any other way."