FORMER North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow says he “would have been very happy” if the Kangaroos relocated to the Gold Coast a decade ago.

Before the introduction of the Suns as the AFL’s 17th club, the Kangaroos were linked to a move on the Gold Coast as the club battled a range of financial issues.

North Melbourne played three home games at Carrara Stadium in 2007, which only ignited speculation of the club’s inevitable move north.

But the board ultimately rejected the relocation in 2007, after a public campaign was launched to keep the Kangaroos in Victoria.

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North supporters rejoiced in the decision, however, Swallow told SEN he would have preferred to play for a team based on the Gold Coast.

“We obviously came up and played games there for a few years and we really loved it,” Swallow said.

“I remember talking to a lot players at that stage and everyone who was in their first or second year was really keen to go up to the Gold Coast with that warm weather.

“I didn’t really have any attachment to Melbourne at that stage so I would’ve been very happy to move, but the guys who’ve been around for a long time obviously have family and friends and didn’t want to move.”

Andrew Swallow in action against the Gold Coast Suns. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Swallow praised the work of then-chairman James Brayshaw, who pushed to keep North Melbourne at Arden Street.

“I think the work that James and the guys that he put around the club at that stage did have gotten the club to where it is at this stage,” Swallow said.

“At the start of my career we had horrendous facilities, old portables that I think burnt down at one stage and you had homeless people sleeping in the carpark so it was pretty tough, but you sort of just didn’t know any different.”

Swallow was recruited from East Fremantle and was only in his second season in 2007.

He was linked with a move to the Gold Coast Suns — where his younger brother David plays — last season, but the move never eventuated.

Despite this, Swallow still relocated to Queensland to play for the Aspley Hornets in the NEAFL.