Being told he wouldn't be playing for Brisbane anymore wasn't the news Josh Walker wanted while holidaying through Europe.
Walker's contract situation had lingered and the Lions made him available to rival clubs in the NAB AFL Trade Period, so it wasn't a complete shock.
At the same time, his AFL career being in limbo made for a "flat" couple of days when he'd otherwise be carefree in his football off-season.
Instead, Walker and his agent, David Trotter, of Hemisphere Management Group, went to work to find him a third club.
That search quickly found an interested party in North Melbourne, although there were others.
It's not hard to figure out Walker's appeal: he only just turned 27, has 85 games under his belt – including 52 in the past four seasons – can play at both ends, and averaged 2.5 intercept marks in 2019.
Scott Thompson's retirement and the uncertainty among the Roos' other tall defensive options were the clinchers.
Walker had to wait until after the NAB AFL Draft but North snapped him up as a delisted free agent on the morning of the pre-season and rookie drafts.
"It's a consideration, a possibility (that your career might be over), but myself and my management were always confident I could get somewhere else," Walker said at Arden Street on Friday.
"I played some good footy last year and I was hopeful and confident that would be enough for someone to give me another chance.
"There were a couple of other clubs interested but I just felt North was the best fit.
"I got along with the coach well and it just seemed like a good fit, a good opportunity. So I was always pretty set and intent on coming here."
Walker enters a defence spearheaded by vice-captain Robbie Tarrant and that includes Majak Daw, who missed this season recovering from hip and pelvic injuries, Sam Durdin and Ben McKay.
Durdin and McKay might assume their time has come, but Walker has designs on playing in round one.
"Obviously, with Scotty Thompson retiring, there's a hole down back, which suits me," he said.
"Intercept marking is something (coach Rhyce Shaw is) strong on and he wants me to back myself to win back the ball if I can and get the attack started.
"There's still a bit of pre-season to go and I've got a bit of work to do but (being in the senior side is) the goal – that's the idea.
"So, I'll be hoping to spend the whole summer on the track and put my best foot forward."
Walker joined his new teammates on their three-day Mornington camp this week and has already fallen foul of the games that go on at this time of year.
"I've got to shave my head. I managed to keep (my hair) until we got this (interview) out of the way, then they're all hassling me to get the clippers out," he said.
"It was a quick catching of a tennis ball – high up in the air – and I dropped it. I think I had a payout option but I think it's pretty expensive, so I'll get the clippers out.
"I'll be trying to go as high as possible and see if they let me get across with a three or a four (rather than too short)."
