COLLINGWOOD recruit Jordan Roughead admits he had become stale at the Western Bulldogs.

After a decade at the Kennel in Melbourne's inner west he now finds himself in the luxurious surrounds of the Magpies state-of-the-art facilities in the middle of the city's sporting hub.

"The Bulldogs facilities are still pretty good, but it's obviously a different level here," Roughead told reporters on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old comes to Collingwood hoping to play a key role in defence, but he's also set to deputise in the ruck division.

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"It's great to come on board at a time when the club and the team are performing really well," he said.

"I guess I'd made a decision at the end of the season that I wanted to search for a new opportunity.

"I'd got a little bit stale at the Bulldogs – I'd spent 10 years there."

On the face of it, Roughead isn't the only one, with 2016 premiership stars Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus among those who have departed Whitten Oval amid speculation about the environment in the wake of the drought-breaking flag.

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Roughead believes the Dogs are still playing for coach Luke Beveridge.

"Yeah, I do, I think the Bulldogs have got a bright future ahead of them as well," he said.

"I'll look forward to having a beer with Bevo over the coming years.

"I guess I do have a point to prove. I think my best football's ahead of me, I'm doing everything I can out on the track to put my best foot forward and get into the best 22 here at Collingwood."