Campbell Brown said he only decided to leave Hawthorn for fledgling AFL club Gold Coast after getting the seal of approval from his outspoken father Mal Brown.

Campbell Brown had all but made up his mind to accept a three-year contract, worth a reported $1.5 million, but headed to his parents' place for dinner last week to give his father the last word on an impending move to the Suns.

"I wanted him to sign off on it," Brown told AAP.

"He's been in footy for a long time as a player and a coach and he's been around and seen it all.

"He's very straightforward, which is what you want.

"You don't want someone telling you what you want to hear."

WA Hall of Fame member and former Richmond player Mal Brown remains a highly controversial character.

He was a regular visitor to the tribunal during his playing days and was in the headlines again earlier this year after referring to some AFL indigenous players as "cannibals".

Campbell Brown joins former Brisbane Lion Michael Rischitelli, Adelaide's Nathan Bock and Port Adelaide's Nathan Krakouer as the Suns' uncontracted player signings.

Brown said talks between his management and the Suns began five weeks before the end of the regular season and his decision to leave was not based on money or any belief that the Hawks' were no longer in premiership contention.

The 27-year-old, who played 159 games with Hawthorn after debuting in 2002, said he chose to leave because he wanted to be stationed permanently in defence.

"It was a tough decision, but when I was making the decision I thought it would be best for my football," Brown said.

"I definitely would say Hawthorn's premiership window has not closed, it will be open for another three to five years.

"I have come here with a pact to be a leader amongst the group and another big one for me was to re-establish myself as a really good defender again.

"Over the last couple of years, through no fault of my own, or the coaching staff, I've had to play forward and back and a lot of different roles.

"While it's good to be flexible and I like to be a flexible player, it's quite difficult to be chopping and changing a lot, mid-game and mid-season, and I love playing down back and that's where I see my role in the side."

It is likely that Brown will take on an official leadership role at Gold Coast.

"We need some solid citizens and some boys that can display those values and Campbell has done that," said coach Guy McKenna.

"His character on and off the field will certainly be an asset to our young growing side and backline."

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