Geelong recruit Josh Caddy says Gold Coast had his body but not his heart during his two years with the AFL expansion club.

The Cats this week won a bidding war to recruit the 20-year-old midfielder, who was chased by several Victorian clubs after revealing his desire to return to his home state.

While he has shown little yet in his 24-game AFL career to justify the fierce interest, averaging just 15 touches per match with the Suns, Caddy said it was tough playing while longing to be elsewhere.

“Playing AFL footy is hard enough as it is, so I think your heart’s got to be completely in it,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“To be completely honest, my heart wasn’t completely in playing footy for the Gold Coast, just because I’d rather be living in Victoria.”

The Cats gave up the first round compensation pick they received for losing Gary Ablett to the Suns two years ago to snare Caddy, taken at No.7 in the 2010 draft.

the two clubs will also exchange some lower order picks.

Caddy said a visit to Geelong several weeks ago, when he was shown around by skipper Joel Selwood and Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel, helped convince him it was the place to be.

“They’re definitely two of the players I admire most in the competition. To get to know them and learn off them is a dream really,” he said.