New Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart, right, with coach Ken Hinkley at Alberton Oval after the announcement. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: News Limited
NEW Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart said leaving the Gold Coast was one of the toughest decisions he has ever made.
But the former Suns' reserves and development coach said the opportunity at Alberton, and the lure of working under Ken Hinkley, were too good to refuse.
"Ken Hinkley is a brilliant operator and to work with him, and have that opportunity presented to me after I'd inquired about the role in mid-December, I couldn't believe the opportunity was (there)," Hart said.
Hart, a three-time premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist at the Brisbane Lions between 1990 and 2004, had lived on the Gold Coast for 24 years.
He said it was a desire to chase his dream that led him to relocate his family to Adelaide for the role.
"At times you can sit in a comfort zone,'' he said.
"My line to my wife around Christmas time was …'sometimes you've got to take a risk to find your way to the dream in your heart and realise your full potential in this life'.
"I went down that line with my wife and she has just been an incredible support."
Hart said he would draw on his time playing under four time premiership coach Leigh Matthews at Brisbane.
He said he would encourage Port Adelaide to think big in 2014.
"I'm really big on people and vision and working towards (goals) that we set together as a group," he said
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