Isaac Smith admits he had a few “sleepless nights” as he agonised between staying at Hawthorn or joining either Geelong or Melbourne.
The 32-year-old sealed a move to Geelong as an unrestricted free agent on Friday, signing a two-year contract.
Smith reportedly knocked back a three-year deal from Melbourne as well as a two-year offer from Hawthorn to stay at the club.
Speaking for the first time as a Geelong player, Smith said he was “up for the challenge” after making the move away from Hawthorn.
“It was a difficult decision and very hard (one to make),” he told reporters on Friday.
“I’ve probably had a few sleepless nights over the last three or four nights to be honest, the heart was pulling me towards Hawthorn, but in the end the head won.
“I’m up for a new challenge and a new journey and very excited to be part of Geelong, they’re a great organisation.
“This was the right decision for me and my family. Really in the end, there wasn’t much between Hawthorn, Melbourne and Geelong.
“Right now where I am in my life, I’m really looking forward to creating a new chapter and seeing a world outside of Hawthorn.
“It was just the right decision; my wife and I sat down and made the final call last night.”
Hawthorn received a third-round selection as compensation as part of the deal, which is currently pick 42.
Smith played 210 games for the Hawks in nine seasons and was part of three consecutive premiership sides between 2013 and 2015.