Essendon prize AFL recruit Brendon Goddard says there is more to his departure from St Kilda than he is willing to reveal.

The 27-year-old two-time All Australian, who joined the Bombers early in this year’s inaugural free agency period, said the security of a longer contract and promise of more midfield time were only part of the story.

“I’m not going to tell you the exact reasons, because there’s more than one,” Goddard told Melbourne sports radio station SEN on Wednesday.

“But at the end of the day the fourth year on the contract was quite important for my security and my partner’s security.

“But there were a number of things along with that.

“The opportunity to play more in the midfield as well was something appealing, but that’s all I’ll say for now.”

A later comment from Goddard suggested his relationship with St Kilda weakened late in the year.

“It wasn’t until the very end of the season where you start to think things aren’t going as well as you thought with contract talks and a few other things and you sum everything up,” he said.

At the time Goddard announced his decision, Saints coach Scott Watters said it was purely about money, with St Kilda unwilling to match the 2002 No.1 draft pick’s reported $2.9 million deal from the Bombers.

Goddard also said on Wednesday his confidence about the talent in Essendon’s list, particularly the spine of their side, and the quality of their coaching staff helped convince him Essendon were the right destination.