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NEW NORTH Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins says he left the Western Bulldogs on "good terms" and that his relationship with coach Brendan McCartney remains intact.
Higgins, 26, became a Kangaroo on Friday as a restricted free agent.
The Bulldogs chose not to match North’s offer, which allowed him to join his new club immediately.
Despite recent speculation of tension between some senior Bulldogs and the coach, Higgins said he had simply wanted a change of scenery.
"I'm not going to get involved in what happened in the past," Higgins said on Monday at Arden Street.
"I leave on good terms, I feel the relationship was fine between him and I.
"I'm not going to comment on that now … it's about moving on.
"I leave with no bad blood and great memories and friendships, which I know will last beyond this.
"It was just a personal decision … and it sits really comfortably with me.
"I was confident I did everything I could while I was there (at the Bulldogs); whether that be right or wrong, I'll move on now and be excited for the next few years."
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While there were reportedly other suitors keen to secure Higgins after he announced he would wait until the season's end to decide his future, he said it became a "one horse race" once he'd met with the Kangaroos.
He said while their impressive 2014 was a factor, he didn't choose them believing he would simply walk into a premiership team in the next few years.
"We all know the industry well enough that there's no guarantees that premierships are just around the corner and I've experienced that firsthand," he said.
"So to come here thinking that I'll play in a premiership would be false hope but I'm looking forward to contributing and playing my part for the team and if that means more finals ahead, I'll be rapt with that.
"There's always pressure to perform and I wouldn't imagine any player would think they could walk in and cement a spot in a side that played deep into September.
"It's a good challenge for me."
After the deal was done, Higgins texted some of his new teammates while he holidayed in Bali.
He said he already felt welcomed and looked forward to teaming with fellow recruit, ex-Blue Jarrad Waite.
Higgins has battled injury problems throughout his career - the most recent a fractured navicular bone early in 2013 that ruined his entire season - but he played 20 games this year and said he felt his best football was still in front of him.
"I still feel reasonably young and really excited about this opportunity. I think it does spark you into life a little bit as well," he said.
"The body is feeling as good as it ever has and I'm still only in my mid-20s so I feel like there's some good years of footy ahead.
"It's a good feeling [to be here]. It's an exciting time for the footy club and now also for me to get the change I was looking for."
