KARL Amon has revealed he confided in Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley before accepting a free agent offer to join Hawthorn.
Amon, speaking at the launch of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday, said he had an "open relationship" with Hinkley that allowed him to talk to Port's coach in the back half of the season.
He described the whole process as "mature".
YOKAYI MOMENTS Vote now for a chance to win a pair of Buddy's boots
"We've developed a really honest and open relationship over our nine years," Amon said of Hinkley.
"We can have these conversations throughout the year.
"It was between me and him, it was moreso in the back half of the year of the potential of me going home and what decision I had to make."
Amon made his announcement official following Port Adelaide's final-round Showdown win against Adelaide, but told some of his closer mates at the club in the lead-up to the match.
TRADE HUB All the latest player movement news
After 124 games in the teal, the 27-year-old said it was time to return home.
"It's probably been a long time coming, but for me it was a difficult decision to make to leave Port Adelaide after nine years," he said.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed myself here, but I think in terms of football and life I think it was the right time to move."
AFL Trade Radio returns from 7am on Monday, September 26 and runs until trade deadline day on Wednesday, October 12.
2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio Line-up
7am-9am: The Early Trade with Kane Cornes, Matthew Lloyd
9am-11am: Trade Mornings with Cam Luke, Josh Jenkins/Adam Cooney
11am-12pm: Trade Feed with Josh Gabelich, Sarah Olle
12pm-1pm: Trade Exchange with Cal Twomey, Riley Beveridge
1pm-3pm: Trade Afternoons with Sam Edmund, Brenton Sanderson/Brendon Goddard
3pm-6pm: The Late Trade Damian Barrett, Steve Silvagni, David Noble/Matthew Rendell
6pm-7pm: Time On Trade with Sam Hargreaves, Matthew Rendell
What has been the most spectacular moment from an Indigenous player in the 2022 AFL season? Cast your vote here for a chance to win a pair of Buddy Franklin's Indigenous designed football boots