FORMER Harrow-Balmoral footballer Michael Close has bounced back from being delisted by the Brisbane Lions to be included in North Melbourne’s VFL list for the 2018 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He played 27 games for the Lions before being delisted following the 2017 season.
The 23-year-old said he had hoped to maintain his spot on the Lions’ list.
“When Josh Schache got traded to the Western Bulldogs, I thought there might be a spot for me – but I didn’t want to tell myself I was going to be okay in case I got that fateful call from (coach) Chris Fagan,” he said.
“It was a phone call you never want but it ended up coming my way – that’s football and that’s the industry I’m in so I accepted it and moved on.”
Close said he felt he had more to give and he was excited to be part of North Melbourne’s first season as a standalone club in the VFL.
“It’s good to be back in an area that I know best,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to playing with a new bunch of players in a new team.
“We won’t necessarily have any expectations about how we are going to so it will be good to start anew.”
The club’s initial 24-man list was released on Monday and Close said he learned on Wednesday night he would be among the leadership group.
“I really want to keep developing my leadership,” he said.
“Since I’m coming back from an AFL list to the VFL, it will be good to be able to share some of my knowledge.
“I like to think of myself as a leader but it’s great to be able to broaden that knowledge.”
Close said one of his two goals for 2018 was to earn his place back onto an AFL list
“I had a good look at all of the lists and North Melbourne’s was the one that stood out the most,” he said.
“If I can get an opportunity to play well at the VFL level then there might be another opportunity for me at the top level.
“I’m also looking forward to playing under David Loader, who coached me back at the North Ballarat Rebels.”
His second goal is to set himself up for after football.
“Eventually I’ll end up back on the farm so I’m studying down at Marcus Oldham,” he said.
“I’m studying agribusiness this year and I moved out to Geelong last week.
“I’m already halfway back to Harrow since I’m wearing the Kangaroos colours.”
