Port Adelaide recruit Ivan Soldo has revealed the reasoning behind his intention to depart Punt Road for Alberton in the off-season.
Despite the Tigers' preference to retain Soldo - a 2019 premiership player - a trade was the eventual result last October.
The 27-year-old managed just 57 senior games across nine seasons at Richmond, stuck playing second-fiddle behind captain Toby Nankervis for much of his Tigerland tenure.
Speaking onย SENย radiowaves, the ex-Richmond ruckman shared the details that ignited his interstate move.
"It was the decision my management and I decided would be the best move for me considering the circumstances I was under, and Port Adelaide were under," Soldo explained, via SEN.
"We decided that the move over would be the best thing for my career to hopefully get some success over here."
Soldo cited Damien Hardwick's sudden resignation as Richmond's coach, as well as multiple end-of-year retirements; headlined by Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt.
"It was an interesting point with Richmond, the head coach 'Dimma' (Damien Hardwick) had left and there were a few blokes retiring," he continued.
"Obviously, there was communication from Richmond throughout the trade period that they wanted to retain me, but with the discussions my manager and I had across the year, we were always looking elsewhere to see if another opportunity could come my way.
"When it eventually came down to it, it was that this would be the best move for me. We got to that decision, it took a while, but we got there."
Fellow Power recruit and ruckman Jordon Sweet also transitioned to Alberton this off-season in hopes of earning increased senior playing opportunities, with Soldo acknowledging the pair's similar circumstances as second-stringers.
"Both of us at the clubs we were at before, unfortunately, we fell behind a preferred ruckman," said Soldo.
"I had Toby (Nankervis) in front of me, he was preferred, and he (Sweet) also had (Tim) English (at the Bulldogs).
"So, we both know what it's like, but we need to try to get each other better, but it's all honestly up to Kenny and what kind of ruck when he wants.
"We're both very competitive. We both want to play for the team. So, we'll see what happens in the trial games."
Port Adelaide has pre-season hitouts fixtured with Adelaide and Fremantle before playing host to West Coast in Round 1 on March 17.
