JACK HUDSON

FORMER Trinity College student and GWS Giant Jackson Hately said he’s happy to be home with a move to the Adelaide Crows imminent.

The 2018 first round draft selection requested his move after two years in Sydney’s west, and he said there were a few things that made him want to return to South Australia.

“There were a couple of factors; opportunities was a big one, I’m pretty excited by that prospect,” he said.

“Being back home was another thing that was appealing.

“I’m excited for the club, I think there’s some exciting young guys here.”

Telling your current club about your desire to depart is no easy feat, but Hately said they were understanding.

“They were disappointed, (GWS Giants coach) Leon [Cameron] was disappointed but I think they understand,” he said.

“We’ve had good conversations throughout the last couple of years of me wanting to get more of an opportunity inside and when I did, I normally did pretty well, I just couldn’t get that consistent opportunity.

“I probably started thinking about it half way through the year, I had more thoughts.

“I knew I was out of contract for a little bit, it was always on my mind a bit, but I didn’t really decide fully about three or four days before it came out.

“I had a few discussions with Matthew Nicks before that and Justin Reid.

“That was a bit of a process.”

Current Crows coach Matthew Nicks was an assistant at the Giants through the 2019 season after crossing from Port Adelaide, and Hately had nothing but praise for him.

“Nicksy’s a ripper and I was really impressed with him then and now,” he said.

“The thing I liked about those discussions with those two was that they saw me as the player that I see myself, that inside midfielder who can run on the outside and spread on the outside really well.”

The Crows finished the season on the bottom of the ladder for the first time, but will have the opportunity to strengthen their list in December’s drafts, starting with the AFL National Draft.