EFL 2019: Norwood defender Ryan Morrison signs with VFL club North Melbourne

Norwood could be without one of its prized recruits for much of the Eastern Football League season after star defender Ryan Morrison signed at VFL club North Melbourne.

Ryan Morrison during his days at Noble Park. Picture: Brendan Francis

Norwood could be without one of its prized recruits for much of the Eastern Football League season.

Star defender Ryan Morrison made his VFL debut with North Melbourne on Saturday after signing with the Roos last week.

The 25-year-old played the first two games of the season with Norwood after crossing to Mullum Mullum Reserve from Premier Division rival Noble Park.

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Morrison was contacted by North Melbourne recruiter and former Bulls backline coach Hayden Stanton last month, offering him a spot at Arden St.

“He told me their AFL injuries to Majak Daw and (Ed) Vickers-Willis have opened up opportunities at VFL level because obviously they go out and someone has to go up,” Morrison said.

“They’ve been looking for some key defenders so he rang me and initially I said, ‘no’ because I’d made a commitment with Norwood.

“A couple of days later, their main recruiting guy, Nick Byrne, got a hold of me and I told him I’d think about it.

“After speaking with some friends and Dad, I decided I’d give it a crack.”

Morrison played two games at Casey Demons last year and in his VFL debut against Richmond at Punt Rd was named the team’s best player.

But he was not seen in the state league after Round 4.

Ryan Morrison looks to win the ball for Noble Park in a final against Doncaster in 2016. Picture: Brendan Francis

Morrison’s Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said last year AFL clubs would be “crazy’’ to not look at the full-back.

“My opinion, he should be playing VFL every week. I’d be putting so much time into this kid because I truly believe he can go to the next level,” Fogarty said at the time.

“They talk about mid-season drafts … AFL clubs would be crazy if they’re not looking at ‘Morro’. He’s ready-made.’’

Morrison said he wanted to give the VFL another go.

“I didn’t really get much of an opportunity last year with Casey … I didn’t want to have any regrets about not having one last go at playing at the level,” he said.

“I thought it was a good opportunity, obviously I felt I could hold down that role for them so I thought it would be stupid not to take the opportunity.”

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