The 20-year-old has also signed a one-year deal with St Kilda as part of #SaintsFutureFest.
“I played over 20 games this year which was a real positive after injury ruined my last two seasons,” Minchington told SAINTS.com.au.
“It’s very exciting to sign on and be on the senior list next year. We have such a young group coming through and the future looks bright.”
VIDEO: Minchington ready to take opportunity
While Minchington was solid for the majority of 2014, his last few games for Sandringham were especially impressive according to Head of Football Chris Pelchen.“Darren finished the season very strongly after deliberately working to improve his fitness base with our high performance staff,” Pelchen told SAINTS.com.au.
“He has outstanding ball skills and with further development should provide a valuable option for the Saints at both ends of the ground."
Senior coach Alan Richardson echoed Pelchen’s optimism and suggested that Minchington could find his way into the engine room.
“Darren has the potential to be a really exciting small forward and inside midfielder,” Richardson said.
“He’s got a really good combination of clean hands, great decision making and excellent finishing… He’s also got himself a lot stronger which opens more doors for him in terms of roles he can play for us.”
ARTICLE: Minchy in the middle
Minchington was elevated late in 2013 and kicked a goal in each of his two games, against Hawthorn and then Sydney.
The Mornington Peninsula product added a further three senior matches and four goals to his tally this year, and cited durability as the catalyst for his improved output.
“My fitness is finally at a level where I can play in the midfield so hopefully I can spend some more time there and build on this year,” he said.
“Playing week in, week out has allowed me to improve constantly and work on areas of my game with the coaches without worrying about injuries…. I’m in a good place going into 2015.”
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While understandably excited by the prospect of beginning 2015 on the senior list, Minchington is equally bullish about the direction of the club with a host of young players re-committing over the past two weeks.“We are on the right track and in a few years I’m sure we will be back up there,” he said.
“There is such a big group of us who are still at the beginning of our careers and going on a journey together.”
Minchington's re-signing follows Luke Dunstan, Josh Saunders, Jack Newnes, Lewis Pierce and Nathan Wright last week, in addition to Jimmy Webster, Blake Acres, Spencer White and Eli Templeton this week.
