The star midfielder yesterday signed a two-year deal with Wang­aratta Rovers, which had been in a tug-of-war with the Roos for his services.

Carpenter said it was a difficult decision not to re-join Corowa-

Rutherglen, where he played in 2008 and 2009, won the best-and-fairest and finished runner-up in the Morris Medal in ’09.

“A lot of (Corowa) people might not be happy but I’d be disappointed if they took it personally,” the 25-year-old said.

“Sometimes you have to do what’s best for you.

“It was never really one club versus another.”

It’s been a productive week for the Hawks, who have also confirmed star ruckman Karl Norman rejected lucrative offers from Victorian and interstate clubs to remain at the W.J. Findlay Oval.

The news is a major boost for the Hawks, who have lost former AFL power forward Barry Hall to Broadford and are yet to re-sign star onballers John Pratt and Jamie Sheahan.

Rovers coach Mick Caruso said Carpenter would slot nicely into the side, which made the preliminary final this year.

“It’s good to get another quality midfielder in the mix who can also play forward and he played TAC 

Cup off the half-back line,” Caruso said.

“Ideally he will be in the midfield mix. 

“He’s just coming into that time of his career where he is going to be playing his best football.”

Carpenter spent this season with Chelsea in the Mornington Peninsula league, joining his father Leigh and his uncle Dale, both Chelsea Hall of Fame members, as a best-and-fairest winner at the club.

Carpenter, who has also played for Frankston Dolphins in the VFL and Queensland outfit Aspley, revealed Rovers had been in contact for “a couple of years”.

“They are very professional and they are keen for success,” he said.

“I’m just looking forward to playing my role in the side, whatever Mick (Caruso) wants me to do, basically.

“They’ve been in touch for a couple of years now and they have a lot of ambitions to climb up the ladder.

“To make such a big step like they did this year was a great effort.

“I think they are heading in the right direction.”

Carpenter, who played with Hawks Sheahan and Tyson Hartwig at Aspley, said he planned a minimum two-year stay at the club.

“I’m not in it for a hit-and-run mission so I’ve signed up for more than one year,” he said.

“After moving around and moving interstate, I had a kick in Queensland and back in the Peninsula, I just wanted to get settled again.”

The inspirational midfielder, who lost part of his left arm in a childhood accident, plans to live in the Corowa area.