Sydney recruit Sam Gray says he was surprised to learn he wouldn’t have an AFL place at Port Adelaide next year.

Gray was delisted by the Power after being told by head coach Ken Hinkley that it would be best to look elsewhere.

The 27-year-old played 96 games and kicked 83 goals for Port Adelaide after originally joining the Power as a rookie in 2013.

That included 20 goals in 20 games in 2019, while he also kicked 28 goals in 2017 and 21 in 2018.

“We just had that conversation at the end of the year and he (Hinkley) said they’ve got some young forwards coming through, and there’s probably not going to be a spot for me next year at half forward, so it is probably best that I look elsewhere,” Gray told SEN Breakfast on Monday.

“I was pretty surprised to be honest.

“I played the last 20 games in a row and thought I might have been OK, but that wasn’t the terms. It hit me as a bit of a surprise, but I took it on the chin.”

After a “stressful month”, Gray is excited to get going with the Swans.

“I’m looking forward to getting up there in the next couple of weeks and meeting the boys.

“It’s been a stressful month, but I’m happy with the way it has played out.”