Port Adelaide recruit Ryan Burton admitted he was shocked to be put up for trade so early in his career with Hawthorn.
Burton, who was contracted until the end of 2020, was part of the deal that facilitated Chad Wingard’s move from Port Adelaide to the Hawks on deadline day of the trade period.
“Maybe I was bit naive being a young player, I probably thought I was untouchable whilst I was contracted,” Burton told SEN’s Time On.
“It opened my eyes a little bit in terms of that I played most games this year and for the last two years I’d played consistent footy.
“To then be told you’re no longer wanted at the club and you’re up for trade - it was a bitter pill to swallow at the time.
“I’ve got my head around everything now and learned a lot from it.”
The 21-year-old explained how he was notified by Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson that he would be put up for trade.
“I had to find out what the idea behind everything was,” Burton added.
“He basically spoke about my future and the fact they were getting Chad (Wingard) was an opportunity for them and coming home could be an opportunity for me.
“There was a lot more to it but he thought it was a good opportunity to come back home as well, obviously he was disappointed he had to give me up, but if it was the only way the deal was going to get done, I guess I was the one who had to go.
“Looking at it now I feel like it’s a good trade in the end, that I get to come home and get to play for the club that I grew up supporting.”
Burton played 47 games for the brown and gold and placed second in the 2017 NAB Rising Star Award.
Listen to Ryan Burton’s chat on SEN’s Time On with Sam McClure in the player below