NEW Melbourne forward/ruckman Cameron Pedersen says he was “relieved and excited” when he found out at 9 pm on Thursday night that he would be joining the Demons.

Pedersen officially joined Melbourne on the final day of the Gillette AFL Trade Period, after having been closely linked with the red and blue throughout the past month.

“It’s been pretty stressful. My wife has been badgering me for the past three weeks and she’s been a bit stressed, but it’s all worked out in the end,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“It if hadn’t have gone through, I would’ve been happy at North, because they’re a great club, but I’m very excited to be at Melbourne now.

“The club’s had a very big change in the past 12 to 18 months, but they’re going in the right direction, so it’s great to be a part of it. And I’m just going to work hard to keep it.”

Melbourne gained Pedersen and selection No. 74, after it exchanged midfielder Jordan Gysberts and pick No. 63 to North Melbourne.

Pedersen played 16 matches and kicked 20 goals for the Roos from 2011-12.

He played 14 of his 16 matches in 2011, and gained North Melbourne’s best first year player award. He kicked 18 goals at an impressive 78.3 per cent conversion rate.

In 2012, Pedersen won the best and fairest award for Werribee - North Melbourne’s affiliate in the VFL.

A star at VFL level, the 193 cm tall was originally selected by North Melbourne in the 2011 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (held in December 2010).

The 25 year-old said he was most looking forward to a new game plan, meeting new people and gaining more opportunities with the Demons.

“They’ve got a clear, defined role for me, which is called playing a link forward and ruck,” Pedersen said.

“So it’s very reassuring when you get your own role showed to you and what’s expected of you.”

Pedersen said he also had some good links with two Melbourne coaches.

“I played six or seven games under him [Satterley] at Werribee and I played at Box Hill when Andrew Nichol was there.”

“I’ve been told Paul Satterley had glowing endorsements for me, which very much helped.”

Pedersen said he was aware via his manager Peter Lenton that Melbourne was monitoring him closely.

“He (Lenton) always thought I was able to play and he always throws his players names around to see what people think,” he said.

“I first got an indication [Melbourne was interested] about eight weeks ago and I then had a meeting with Tim Harrington and Todd Viney.

“Then I had a meeting with Mark Neeld and Craig Lees, so it was very reassuring to know the head coach wanted you. That’s when I thought something might happen.”

Despite finishing up at the Roos, he was grateful for the opportunity after being recruited as a mature-age pick.

“Last year was like a storybook - everything went to plan,” he said.

“I won the best first year player and then this year I was playing good football, but unfortunately North Melbourne wanted to go with a different forward line.

“I tried to play as well as I could in the VFL, which helped, because I won the best and fairest and obviously got on Melbourne’s radar.”

Looking ahead to Melbourne’s pre-season, which starts on Monday, Pedersen said he was determined to keep learning and build on his fitness base.

“[I] just want to get to know the boys well and get in the best shape that I can and work on my deficiencies and the things that I need to work on. They’re probably the main things,” he said.

“I’m definitely feeling that I’m improving every year and there is no part of your game that you can’t improve every year.

“Every year you want to get fitter and stronger and get better at reading the play and improving my skills. Every year, there is room for improvement, which is really good.”