Chad Wingard admits he was challenged by exit interviews at Port Adelaide and had to move

CHAD Wingard says it was in the best interests of all to start a new journey with Hawthorn after admitting to being challenged by his exit interviews at Port Adelaide. But he insists he leaves Alberton with no bad blood.

Chad Wingard has moved from Hawthorn to Port Adelaide with lingering questions on why he sought to be traded to the Hawks while still on contract at Alberton. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty

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NEW Hawthorn forward-midfielder Chad Wingard calls it “the toughest decision of my life” to leave Port Adelaide.

But Wingard, 25, has left questions on just why he had to leave Alberton — “with no bad blood” — while on contract for next season.

Wingard described his parting from the Power as a “mutual agreement” — one critically formed during testing exit interviews at Alberton with coach Ken Hinkley at the end of the season.

“For myself, my footy, my happiness it is better to move on and start the new journey,” Wingard said in his contracted appearance with Channel Seven.

Chad Wingard post after being traded from Port Adelaide Football Club to Hawthorn. Picture: Instagram

Of the exit interviews that are the centre of Wingard testing rival AFL clubs’ interest in him, Wingard said: “There’s a lot of things I have to work on.

“I was willing to do that at Port Adelaide. (But) we came to a mutual agreement where it was best for everyone to part ways.

“It was very tough … but there is no bad blood. Kenny, I’ve learned a lot from him and the club has really improved me as a player and as a person.”

Wingard was chased by Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and two other clubs.

Wingard described the Hawks as “a very exciting group”.

“And what they have been telling me is, Hawthorn is a very welcoming club,” Wingard said. “And it is a club that has been very successful in the past couple of decades. I am hoping to add to that — and really improve my footy because every player who has been there has really improved their footy. That is the main thing.”

Chad Wingard’s Instagram post after the trade deal went through.

Wingard, who was to be a free agent next year, leaves Alberton in a trade that delivers Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton to the Power in a homecoming trade. Port Adelaide also gains a first-round draft pick from the Hawks.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps did not end the mystery on Wingard’s exit from Alberton after the South Australian had repeatedly in his career expressed a desire to be a Power player for life.

“He had numerous conversations with (coach) Ken (Hinkley) at the end of the year,” Cripps said. “(Why he chose to move) is a question you need to ask Chad.”

Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies maintains his club agreed to the trade believing there was more to gain from the Hawks this year than from the AFL as a free-agency compensation pick at the end next season when Wingard was expected to move on.

“Chad requested a trade to Hawthorn, which left the club with a decision to make as to whether we traded him this year and controlled the situation or lost him next year to free agency and receive a compensation pick,” Davies said.

“We think we have been able to achieve an outcome here which sees the club secure a talented player in Ryan Burton and draft selections which will help our playing list into the future.”

Wingard is due at Hawthorn on Friday to be presented with the club’s other major signings from the trade period — Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Scully and Gold Coast defender Jack Scrimshaw.

Originally published as Chad Wingard admits he was challenged by exit interviews at Port Adelaide and had to move