Former Port Adelaide defender Hamish Hartlett says loyalty was a determining factor behind his decision to return to West Adelaide.
Hartlett was offered a player and development role with the Adelaide Crows’ SANFL team but decided to take up a similar position at the Bloods for 2022.
The 31-year-old was delisted by the Power after playing 193 games across 13 seasons and is open to a rookie spot in next year’s mid-season draft.
“It was just a matter of sitting down and really assessing what all the options were in front of me and what was going to be the best course of action in terms of my career and where I thought my biggest development was going to come from,” Hartlett told SEN SA’s Kymbo and The Rooch.
“I feel like that will be at West Adelaide.
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“They’ve spoken to me about working in depth with the football club in developing my skills outside of being a player and a coach and a few other aspects of the day-to-day workings within a footy club.
“That’s really exciting for me and obviously there’s a bit of a loyalty factor that comes in and the opportunity to work with Adam (brother) as well … I think it’s going to be pretty special.”
The former Power vice-captain was selected out of West Adelaide with pick No.4 in the 2008 National Draft.
Hartlett was not offered a new contract by Port Adelaide for next season.
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