Nathan Bock has played his last game for Adelaide, after the All Australian defender confirmed he will head to the Gold Coast Suns next season.
It has been reported that 2008 All Australian defender Bock was offered over $600,000 per season to play for the Suns, a sum the Crows simply could not match.
Bock said the Suns' offer presents a unique opportunity and the financial aspect was significant in the All-Australian defender's decision which he said he made on the weekend.
"Over the weekend I made the decision and with the culture and environment of the (Adelaide) football club I felt comfortable in coming forward and speaking to the footy club and putting on the table my intentions and what I was thinking," he said.
"There's a few different reasons, obviously it's not all financial, but that is a big part of it, it is a significant offer. It was something that I found too hard to refuse. I'm 27, I've had a few issues with my body this year, it's going to help me set myself up for after footy."
"Obviously, life style and environment and going to a new club, being a part of a new club. (There's) a range of things which I found to end up making my decision. There are a range of areas that I found enticing. "
Bock admitted the decision to stand down immediately was mutual, with the 27 year-old saying he felt uncomfortable taking the field for the remaining two matches knowing he would not be there next year.
He felt it would deny a younger player the opportunity to prove themselves ahead of next season.
"I would probably feel uncomfortable playing the next two weeks knowing that I wasn't going to be a part of it next year, that's half the reason I did come forward and was honest about it," he said.
"I think in this situation, being honest and coming up now rather than waiting another two or three weeks, which I could have done,... hopefully it gives a younger guy the chance to play a couple of games towards the end of the year."
"I would have liked to have played but now that I have made the decision I'm comfortable to give a younger guy an opportunity to play a couple of games for his experience leading into the future of the footy club."
Speaking on Melbourne radio earlier on Tuesday morning, Bock's manager Ricky Olarenshaw confirmed the 27-year-old would fly north to join Guy McKenna's new franchise on the Gold Coast.
"It's been a little bit fast-tracked in what we initially thought, but he's had an offer on the table for a couple of months now and he'd been pondering his future throughout that time," Olarenshaw told sports radio station SEN.
"We weren't going to make a decision until after the season, but once the Crows were out of the finals race there had been speculation he was going to the Gold Coast so he had a deep and meaningful with the club yesterday."
"He said he was most likely to take the offer and they were happy he was honest and (the club) said, 'If you're going to take up the offer, there's probably no point in playing the last two games, give them to a young player'."
After 113 games, a Best and Fairest and All Australian selection, Bock expressed his sadness at leaving the Crows.
"I just saw it as a unique opportunity and something I'd be keen to pursue," he said.
"Obviously I'm saddened that I have to leave. This club has been amazing for me. I've played 113 games here now, obviously a Best and Fairest and an All Australian."
"The whole club has been amazing throughout my journey. It is definitely sad that I am leaving. It has been the hardest decision I've had to make but I'm optimistic about my football future."
Bock's decision comes hot on the heels of Adelaide skipper Simon Goodwin announcing he's played his last game for the Crows after succumbing to a season-ending ankle injury.
Bock was apparently the second choice for McKenna after exciting Crows forward Kurt Tippett rejected the Suns' advances.
Nathan Krakouer, Campbell Brown, Jarrod Harbrow and Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett are also reported targets for the Suns, while NRL star Karmichaek Hunt was poached from the Brisbane Broncos.