Levi Greenwood admits the heat is on after his AFL trade from North Melbourne to Collingwood.

The onballer joined the Magpies on a lucrative four-year deal after finishing third in North’s best and fairest count this season.

“They’ve shown the faith of four years in me – it puts the pressure back on me and I definitely want to give something back,” he said.

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North wanted to keep Greenwood, but he felt greater scope to play through the midfield at Collingwood.

“There’s an opportunity in the midfield for me, full-time,” he said.

“Even thought I had a full season at North, I did find I was getting pushed out (of the midfield) a little bit.”

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said they would have recruited Greenwood even if they had not lost fellow onballer Dayne Beams.

It was a big trade period for Collingwood, with Beams and Heritier Lumumba leaving.

The ‘Pies recruited Greenwood, Geelong’s Travis Varcoe and Brisbane youngster Jack Crisp.

Buckley was philosophical about losing Beams, a premiership player and best and fairest winner.

Beams went to Brisbane, citing family reasons.

“I’m not in the habit of talking people into playing for Collingwood,” Buckley said of Beams.

“We have three blokes sitting next to me who have worn other guernseys (Greenwood, Varcoe and Crisp)… but want to be here.”

Beams changed clubs with a year left on his contract.

“That’s footy, isn’t it? It’s happening more and more,” Buckley said.

“But … it comes back to creating an environment that people want to be at.”

Collingwood will cross paths with Beams in round one next season, when the two sides play at the Gabba.

“I’m sure you’ll make something of that,” Buckley said with a grin.

“They’re one of 17 opponents we’ll face throughout the season.”