Chad Wingard adjusting to life in Melbourne after trade from Port Adelaide to Hawthorn

TEETH-chattering temperatures and toll roads — it’s been an interesting induction to Melbourne life for new Hawk Chad Wingard, who has backed Alastair Clarkson to get the best out of him.

James Sicily and Chad Wingard discuss the cold at Hawthorn’s preseason training session today. Picture: Mark Stewart

TEETH-chattering temperatures and toll roads — it’s been an interesting induction to Melbourne life for new Hawk Chad Wingard.

Wingard, 25, was traded to Hawthorn from Port Adelaide in October and has shacked up with former Power teammate turned Hawk Jarman Impey while he gets his life in order.

But he has admitted that the shift to Victoria had posed its challenges.

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Wingard shivers in the chilly Melbourne weather at Hawthorn’s preseason training session at Xavier College today. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Bro, it’s cold, hey?,” he said, arms folded to shield from the wind.

“It’s so cold. Its something I’ll get used to. It is summer, right?

“I love Melbourne. It’s a beautiful place and there’s something going on all the time. I’m excited to have a look at this city and enjoy everything that comes with it.”

Wingard said the assistance of Impey — and not just as a familiar face on a recent trip to the Kokoda Trail with other young Hawks — had proved invaluable.

“He’s really helped me in trying to fit in, and just finding my way around,” he said.

“Tolls? Tolls? I don’t know what they are. All this Melbourne stuff I’m not used to. He’s helping me out with all this stuff. It’s a different place, that’s for sure.”

The Hawks will be hoping Wingard can find plenty of the footy when he steps out in the brown and gold this season. Picture: Getty Images

The forward said he intended to approach his new life as a Hawk with the right “mindset”, no matter whether he plays in attack or the midfield, having previously admitted he had become “comfortable” at Port Adelaide.

But there was no room for comfort on the recent trip to Papua New Guinea — thanks largely to coach Alastair Clarkson, who Wingard backed to get his best football out of him.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming in. but the best thing about it, Clarko told me as well, was to get to know the young boys,” Wingard said.

“To come in (to training yesterday), I already knew half the group. It made the welcome a lot easier. it was a pretty rewarding experience.

Wingard poses in his new Hawthorn digs. Picture: Getty Images

“It was one of those times that you really don’t think about it until it was finished and you really appreciate what they’ve done.

It was definitely tough. Obviously Clarko had some challenges up his sleeve that we weren’t expecting. The boys really stuck together and that’s what it’s about — team bonding and to make sure everyone got through.”

As for what Clarkson — who was completing his sixth trip to the track that was part of the Pacific War of World War II — had up his sleeve, Wingard stayed mum.

“We’ll have to keep that in-house,” he grinned.

“You’ll have to ask Clarko.”