North Melbourne recruit Aidan Corr says he was surprised to be sent home from the Giants’ Queensland hub in September, after signalling his intent to move clubs.
“I wanted to come out on the front foot and just let the club know. They wanted an answer, I told them and I got a shock (when I was) sent home,” Corr told AFL Trade Radio.
“I was (disappointed), honestly. I thought I could stay up on the Gold Coast in the sun, not go to team meetings, and just hang around with the boys.
“Looking back now, I was naive thinking that.
“It was probably the right thing for the club to do, to create more stability around the place without me floating around.”
The key defender is set to be followed out the door by a handful of Giants, established and otherwise.
Defender Zac Williams sealed a move to Carlton on Friday, and negotiations for forward Jeremy Cameron’s move to Geelong are underway.
Second year midfielders Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately have also requested trades to Essendon and Adelaide respectively, while third year forward Zac Langdon has asked for a move to West Coast.
Corr doesn’t believe the list turnover means the 2019 Grand Finalists are out of contention.
“It’s hard to speak on behalf of the others, but I don’t think it’s a premiership window thing. I think it truly is just timing. It is for me," he said.
“They should be a top four side, they’ve still got so many guns there."
Hawthorn expressed an interest in Corr throughout the year, but the 26-year-old says he was comfortable with his initial call.
“When the stuff with Rhyce did come about there was a push," Corr admitted.
“(The Hawks are) a great side and have been for a very long time. Clarko wanting you to come and play for him is very flattering, but I’d made up my mind and I gave North my word.”