North Melbourne have poached untried 21-year-old speedster Alex Morgan from Essendon as a delisted free agent.
Morgan told NMFC.com.au he rejected a one-year extension from the Bombers to explore senior opportunities at the Roos.
He said the opportunity to work alongside a young and up-and-coming North side ultimately swayed his decision.
"It was an enjoyable two years [at Essendon], especially this year playing more football," Morgan said.
"Playing VFL finals and the club making AFL finals was an exciting time, rebounding from 2016.
"But I felt like I needed a bit more of an opportunity."
Weighing up the prospect of another year at Essendon, Morgan met with North coach Brad Scott to discuss his future.
"Brad outlined where North was at as a club and I looked at where I was at as a player," he said.
"It linked up a fair bit and I made the decision, after talking to a few people. I just felt it was the right decision for me.
"It's a pretty young club so coming here was the right fit given where I was at with my football.
"You have to work for your opportunity but I feel like itโs a young team that can really grow together."
North list manager Michael McMahon said Morgan's arrival brought a number of attributes the club has been so desperately lacking.
"We are confident that Alex will be a very good addition to our list," McMahon said.
"He possesses elite AFL traits with his speed and ball use, and was highly regarded when he came through the draft.
"He has been somewhat restricted by injury during his time in the AFL system, but showed enough at VFL level in the back half of the year to suggest he has the capacity to play an important role for us next year."
Morgan was taken with pick 29 in the 2015 national draft and is yet to make his senior debut.
