Well that was certainly the case for Jordan Lisle who officially transformed from a Hawk into a Lion while enjoying a post-season holiday in Bali over the past week.
Such is the timing and nature of AFL’s Trade Week, players often learn of their fate while abroad - and Lisle was no exception.
The 21 year-old was officially traded to the Lions on Monday morning - the day he returned to Melbourne - but was certainly prepared for the news that he could soon be quickly re-packing his suitcases and moving to Brisbane.
“I had a chat with Vossy before I went away, and he told me the Club was interested and that there was a remote chance that they would try and sort out a trade with Hawthorn,” Lisle said.
“Then I got a call while overseas from my Manager, who said there was an offer worth considering from the Lions.”
“It’s been pretty tough to break into the Hawthorn team, and there were probably greater opportunities to play senior football at the Lions. So in the end it was a relatively easy decision.”
Coincidentally, all three of the Lions’ newest recruits - Lisle, Ben Hudson and Dayne Zorko - were holidaying in Bali at the same time during Trade Week.
What’s more, Lisle stayed at the same hotel as Hudson and even spoke briefly with the ruckman in passing.
Little did either of them know, they would soon become team-mates at the Lions.
Lisle - who can play either up forward or down back - said he has no preference to where he potentially lines up next year, and simply wants to make a significant contribution to his new Club.
“I’m happy to play anywhere,” he said.
“I’ll probably sit down with the Senior Coach once I get up to Brisbane and see what their plans are for me.”
The former Hawk said he was also looking forward to meeting Lions Captain Jonathan Brown who he has long admired.
“I’ve never played against him or even met him,” Lisle said.
“But the prospect of playing alongside him in the forward line is pretty exciting.”
