“North put a really good offer to me, but at the end of the day, I had to weigh up what was best for my future and playing career,” Delaney explained to NMFC.com.au.
The 24-year-old said he grappled with the thought of wearing another team’s colours, but had to bite the bullet.
“It's a tough thing to even contemplate. I didn’t want to leave North and the hardest thing will be to leave all my friends and everyone at the club. North gave me the opportunity to play AFL and ideally, I would have loved to have stayed.
“At the age I’m at, I just needed to consider my options and find a club that would be able to provide more opportunity. North is blessed with some great key defenders and they are in front of me at the minute. It’s a really hard team to break into which I completely understand but I can’t afford to wait any longer.”
Making things even more difficult for Delaney was having to leave his brother Cam at the Kangaroos and wave goodbye to the dream of playing more games together in the future.
“When I got drafted to North and then Cam came across too, it was unbelievable and I couldn’t have hoped for a better scenario. It’s really hard to let go of that dream of playing together week-in, week-out, but that’s footy I suppose. You never know what’s around the corner.
“I spoke to Brad (Scott) about my situation and he understood where I was at and I’m glad I’m leaving with the club’s blessing but it’s still tough.”
Delaney has nominated St Kilda as his preferred club and if all goes well, he should become a Saint for 2014 and beyond.
“I met with St Kilda and several other clubs just to get an understanding of my position. Scott Watters and the team there were fantastic and honest about where their club is at and how they saw me fitting in.
“It sounded like they genuinely wanted me there and they gave me a really good vibe and understanding of my future, if it was to be with them.”
Originally taken in the 2009 Rookie Draft and promoted to the senior list in 2011, Delaney played 26 games for the Roos.
“I really hope the North fans understand that I love this club and that it was tough call to have to leave. I know North’s on the right path which makes this decision even harder, but as I said, I just had to make a tough decision for my future.
“I have been here for five years and have been in and out of the team. I didn’t want to be here in another 12 months faced with the same dilemma of not getting regular games when I know I have the ability to play regular AFL footy.”
