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MARLEY Williams is "really hungry" to bounce back next season and prove Collingwood wrong after being thrown a last-minute lifeline by North Melbourne during the NAB AFL Trade Period.
The hard-at-it defender was on the brink of being delisted by the Magpies when the Kangaroos came calling the night before deadline day.
With the clock ticking and several major deals still to go down, the Roos handed over pick No.105 for Williams, who joined former Bulldogs midfielder Nathan Hrovat and ex-Giants youngster Paul Ahern at Arden St.
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"It was really exciting. I only found out half an hour before the deadline (the trade would happen)," Williams said.
"It was really emotional for myself and my family, but once it got done, we were over the moon."
After finishing seventh in Collingwood's 2015 club champion award, Williams battled a foot injury early last season but was then dropped twice late in the campaign as the Pies missed finals, and the 23-year-old saw the writing on the wall.
"We had a pretty open conversation by the end of the year (about) me (going) in and out of the team and not being able to hold my spot," he said.
"A few of the younger boys were pushing me out, so I thought maybe a move would do me good and improve my football.
"I think in 2015 I held my own playing down in that backline but I was unlucky to be pushed out, injury didn't help, but it was a little bit disappointing."
Williams, who played 68 games for the Pies, knows he needs to improve his kicking and fitness but is confident of nailing down a spot in North's new-look best 22.
"I've got a lot of football left in me and I haven't even shown what I can do," he said.
Meanwhile, Hrovat declared he holds no grudges against the Western Bulldogs after missing out on their drought-breaking premiership, and is looking forward to facing his former club in the inaugural Good Friday clash in 2017.
The 22-year-old played the last four games of the home-and-away campaign this year but made way as the Dogs brought back five players for the elimination final win over West Coast.
"It is frustrating and I guess that's the footy industry, there's always times when players come back and you get edged out but I couldn't be more proud of the boys," he said.
"I've made some really good relationships at the Bulldogs and for them to win a flag after the period they've gone through is really exciting for them.
"There's no bad blood between me or any of the guys, or the Bulldogs, so to play against them would be really exciting."
Hrovat also battled injury last season with ankle surgery making him consider a fresh start and the 175cm onballer is keen to link up with Brent Harvey, who is back at North as a mentor.
"I was privileged enough to work a little bit with Boomer before I got picked up (drafted at pick No.21 in 2012) so to hear him coming back to the club next year is really exciting."
