If you had told Nathan Vardy three years ago he would be settled in Perth, he would have laughed in your face.

His words, not mine.

But now the 27-year-old Victorian is an honorary West Australian.

Vardy has bought a house and is preparing to welcome his first child with partner Maddie Smedts in the next two weeks.

The 200cm ruck-forward admits he was unsure how long his stay at West Coast would last when he decided he wanted out of Geelong at the end of the 2016 season. A premiership and a new contract that expires at the end of 2020 have since come his way.

“When I first said to my partner that I think I want to leave Geelong she said: ‘Yeah, that’s fine but just we’re not going to Perth’. Then I ended up saying yes to West Coast,” Vardy recalled.

“If you had said that to me even three years ago I would be here, I would have laughed in your face. When I came I signed a two-year deal, but it was sort of like — I didn’t know how my body was going to hold up with previous years at Geelong.

“To sign another contract and be here for at least four now, I’m starting to put some roots down.

“I really enjoy the Perth life-style and love the footy club and winning a flag makes it a lot better as well.”

He says Smedts, who is the twin sister of former Geelong teammate Billie, has grown to love Perth as they prepare to join the Eagles’ baby boom.

“I’m sort of following in the trend a bit here at West Coast,” Vardy said.

“The house is ready to go and I’m very excited.

“We recently moved to Vic Park and there’s a few boys there that have got the kids as well so there will be the pram patrol around the streets of Vic Park, I think.”

Vardy knew when he played in that epic grand final against Collingwood in September that he would soon be a father.

“Probably the only thing that was in the back of my mind was, if we won, I wouldn’t be able to really celebrate with my partner because obviously she can’t drink,” he said.

“But one day I’ll be able to say you were sort of at the game, so it’s still special.”