After experiencing a whirlwind week that culminated in a final day signing by St Kilda, Logan Austin is excited by what lies ahead following a winter where he was starved of opportunity.
The Saints acquired the young key defender in the final hours of this year's trade period, sending a future third-round pick to Alberton in exchange for Logan and a future fourth-round pick.
The 22-year-old produced an encouraging run of form in his second season at Port Adelaide in 2016, but fell down the pecking order this year, with Tom Jonas, Jack Hombsch and Tom Clurey holding down the key posts down back.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week. I’m super excited to land at St Kilda,” Austin told saints.com.au on Monday after joining St Kilda last Thursday.
“It happened pretty quickly, with the season finishing and then getting into trade week and the uncertainty around that time of year. It’s a good feeling now that it is all done.”
After making his debut against Collingwood in Round 11 last year, the Canberra product played 11 of the final 12 games, but managed only two senior appearances this season as the opportunities dried up amid one of the tightest defences in the game.
Austin admitted he decided to pursue a fresh start in Victoria to help reignite his 13-game career and thought the Saints were a perfect fit.
“When I wasn’t getting games this year, I thought to myself, if this is what I want to do I need to explore what else is around,” Austin said.
“Ideally I wanted to head to Victoria now that my family live in Victoria.
“I thought that St Kilda was a great fit for me in terms of opportunity. There’s some great young talent coming through the club at the moment.
“It’s a fresh start for me and a place where I can definitely add some value.”
Austin has faced an unlucky run of injuries during recent summers which have prevented him from putting anywhere near a full pre-season in the bank.
But with a clean bill of health and a determination to get off on the right foot this pre-season, Austin will arrive at Linen House Centre at the start of November ready to make an impact from day one.
“It seems like I’ve been unlucky for the last few years; towards the end of the year I’ve copped some injury late that has put me out for the whole pre-season,” he said.
“It’s been pretty frustrating at times trying to fight for a spot for Round 1. But this year I’m fully fit and ready to go straight away which is only going to make me better by having a full pre-season.”
