Draftee Corey Wagner says moving away from his home state of Queensland to join North has given him the best chance of pursuing a successful AFL career.

The medium midfielder, who turned 19 on Wednesday, was recruited by the Roos with pick No.43 in last year's national draft after being in the Brisbane Lions academy from the age of 14.

The Lions opted not to match North's offer on draft night under the new academy bidding rules, paving the way for the youngster to join Arden Street.

Wagner said being selected by the Roos was the best possible result.

"I really wanted to move, I wanted to come to Melbourne … and start something new," Wagner told NMFC.com.au on Tuesday.

"Brisbane had pick 39 and I thought my name could get called … and then North came up and they picked me, and I was ecstatic.

"I'm loving every minute of it here. I'm coming here and I've got a smile on my face every day."

Wagner began his football journey with the Lions Academy after performing well in a state-based tournament as a 14-year-old playing for the Northern Raiders.

He was invited to join the Lions Academy later that year after impressing in each of the three matches for the Raiders.

"You can also get picked up at 15, 16, 17 years old, etc, but I was just lucky to be picked up then and play good enough footy and keep going," he said.

"It started getting full on when I was 17 and training with the 18s squad, so that's when it became training on Monday, weights on Tuesday, training on Wednesday and Friday running."

Despite witnessing a gradual increase in workloads with the Lions Academy, Wagner said the difference to his training standards since joining the Roos was stark.

"With the IP [injury prevention] training, I've never felt so good in my life," he said.

"When I wake up and even if I'm hardly getting any sleep, I'm still waking up fresh and I feel good when I'm walking around."

The 180cm speedster said he had full confidence in the club's strength and conditioning personnel as he continued to build strength in the gym.

"I'm not jumping straight in, I know I'm small and I know I have to put on weight," the 75kg onballer said, citing the growing requirements at the elite level.

"Once my body gets fully developed, around 77-80kg, I reckon I'll put myself in a better position to push for a game."

Wagner said he experienced a "mixed feeling" on draft night as he nervously watched to see if his elder brother, Josh, 21, would also find a new home.

Although Josh missed out on being picked up, his dream was realised just three days later, when Melbourne pounced with its No.6 selection in the rookie draft.

Wagner credited the sibling rivalry to having helped him become the strong-minded individual he was today.

"Being younger, I've always wanted to beat him at everything but I think that's why I've made it here [on an AFL list]," he said.

"He's been a big influence and has helped me a lot."

Wagner said he would "love to have another shot soon" at playing for the Roos after making his first appearance in the club's second NAB Challenge game against Collingwood.

"It was good to have that experience but … I actually got too nervous before the game," he said.

"I just wish I was a little bit more laid back instead of trying to hype it up too much."