Jack Watts will reboot his AFL career outside Victoria after joining Port Adelaide in exchange for a second-round pick.
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Having reluctantly accepted his time at Melbourne had ended after 153 games and nine seasons, the 26-year-old was traded to Port for selection 31 on Tuesday.
Watts began to explore his options at the end of the season despite having two years remaining on his contract and attracted interest from Port Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney.
He took time to arrive at his decision but the Demons and Port Adelaide moved quickly to complete the negotiation once Watts made it clear he was happy to join Port on a three-year deal.
His decision to join Port caps off a successful trade period for Port Adelaide, which landed former Cat Steve Motlop and former Lion Tom Rockliff as free agents last week.
It is believed Port Adelaide are keen for Watts to play inside 50 and spend time on the wing as they look to add more firepower forward of centre.
Watts told Port's website he was keen to cement a spot inside Port's line-up to play alongside Robbie Gray, Travis Boak, Charlie Dixon and Chad Wingard and endeavour to play finals for the first time in his career.
The decision was difficult for Watts, who joined the Demons as the No.1 pick in the 2008 AFL draft and made his debut in a blaze of publicity against Collingwood on Queen's Birthday in 2009.
He was subject to scrutiny from that moment and battled to find his feet during a tumultuous period at the Demons, who did not play finals in his time at the club.
He looked to have resurrected his career in 2016 under Paul Roos, kicking 38 goals and finishing fifth in the club best and fairest, however the momentum didn't last.
He was not selected in the early JLT Series games in 2017 under new coach Simon Goodwin and had to fight hard to win his spot in round one.
He then showed good form early in 2017 but after suffering a hamstring injury in round 13 he struggled to recapture that form, finishing 21st in the club's best and fairest.
Melbourne's decision to offer Watts up for trade upset some Melbourne supporters, but the club felt the time was right for the two parties to go their separate ways with Watts having been on the winning team in just 30 per cent of his 153 games.
