Cameron Wood turned to Google as he attempted to work out whether news he’d be returning to the AFL wasn’t a prank.

Unveiled by Carlton at Visy Park on Thursday, Wood said he initially didn’t answer the call from Blues recruiting manager Shane Rogers because he thought it was a joke.

“I didn’t answer it, got the voicemail and thought it was a prank,” he said.

“I googled Shane Rogers to make sure he was actually the recruiting manager of Carlton and rang him back.”

Wood was plucked from VFL side Williamstown to rejoin former coach Mick Malthouse at Carlton through the rookie draft on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old played 48 games for Collingwood under Malthouse between 2008 and 2012 before being delisted.

This stint came after three seasons and 16 games at the Brisbane Lions, who picked him at No.18 in the 2004 draft from West Adelaide.

Wood’s move to the Blues was a shock to many given the availability of senior ruckman Darren Jolly, who also played under Malthouse at Collingwood but was delisted by Nathan Buckley last month.

Wood credits his good relationship with Malthouse and high performance manager David Buttifant as the key to his recruitment.

Since the news broke, Wood’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

“I’m getting messages and calls from probably everyone I’ve ever met, my mum’s texted me probably 45 times,” he said.

“I’m under no illusions that I’ve been recruited as insurance, but if I didn’t think I could play the number one ruck role, I wouldn’t waste people’s time and be here for the sake of being here.”