Western Bulldogs recruit Rory Lobb felt "on the outer" at Fremantle this year and does not know whether he could have handled another season in Western Australia.
The 29-year-old had a trade request denied by the Dockers a year ago but eventually had a move to the Bulldogs ticked off with minutes remaining before this year's deadline.
It had been a nervous wait, with Fremantle list boss David Walls declaring on the eve of the trade period Lobb was a required player.
Walls later said the Dockers changed their mind on Lobb when Jaeger O'Meara became available and they needed more draft capital to strike a deal with Hawthorn.
"It's been a year-and-a-half I've wanted out, so it was good to get it done finally," Lobb told reporters on Friday.
"You do feel like you're on the outer at times.
"The boys had full faith that I'd go out every week and play my hardest and do what's best for the club.
"In the end we were able to play finals - and win that first final against the Doggies, funnily enough - so it was good to have a good year with the boys considering I wanted out.
"It was really tough, but I kept my head down and did long distance with my partner, which made it a little bit harder."
Lobb joined Fremantle from GWS at the end of 2018 and enjoyed his best season with the WA club this year, kicking a career-high 36 goals from 21 games.
The Swan Districts product had one year left to run on his Dockers contract but said he did not want to think about the prospect of having to see out the deal.
"It was hard enough doing that (this year), especially with my partner being in Melbourne," Lobb said.
"I didn't know if I'd be able to handle it again.
"A lot of media would have been on it and I don't know if I would have been able to play as well as I did this year."
Lobb sought a move for personal reasons, some of which he kept private.
"I need to do what's best for me and my mental state," he said.
"I feel like I've changed as a person the last four years.
"I've really grown up and I feel what's best for me is to move to Melbourne with my partner."
Lobb is set to play alongside Aaron Naughton in attack for the Bulldogs and provide ruck support for Tim English.
