KANGAROOS captain-coach Adam Hall has strongly denied the club is furious over the defection of playmaker Steve Morris to fellow Wagga club Brothers.

Barely after hours after news broke that Morris had walked away from Roos to sign with the Brethren, Hall yesterday declared there were “no hard feelings” against his ex-team-mate.

“It’s best for Steve and we wish him the best of luck,” Hall said yesterday.

“Everything’s fine. There are definitely no hard feelings.”

Coming amid rumours of a backlash against Morris, Hall’s comments will ease concerns the across-town switch will drive a further wedge between Kangaroos and Brothers.

The two clubs are already bitter rivals and the hint of a poaching raid would only raise the heat in the relationship.

For Hall, the loss of Morris is not an insurmountable problem for Roos.

However, the new captain-captain yesterday admitted he was “disappointed” in the sudden charge of heart from Morris.

“He’s a pretty good player and he was pencilled in at five-eighth,” Hall said.

“Yeah, I am disappointed.

“I obviously thought he was staying.”

With Morris gone to join close mate Joe Williams at Brothers, Hall will weigh up several options as a replacement in the halves.

Hall yesterday nominated Hayden Joliffe, Edan Price, Jesse McDonald and Liam Duffy as leading candidates, stressing Duffy’s versatility was a massive plus for the team.

“He (Duff) can play anywhere on the field,” Hall said.

“He’s definitely a big part of the team.

“He’s so competitive.”

Across town, Morris was delighted to have had the chance to play alongside Williams in the halves for the Brethren.

Morris said his tight friendship was the “major reason” he had jumped ship from Kangaroos after only one season.

“I think Joe and I can bring a lot of direction to the team,” Morris said.

Morris, who trains with Williams at his Wagga gym, has lost 22 kilograms since the end of his debut year in Wagga.

The young five-eighth said he was relishing the chance to also renew a football association with speedster Noa Fotu.

“Noa and I played Country together,” Morris said.

“I’m also close to Blake and Brock Dunn.”

After three years at Brothers, the Dunn brothers have also confirmed they will stay at the club.

The signing of Williams and Morris will put pressure on livewire Luke Barry to hold a spot in first grade.