The 198cm Isaac Keeler may be a huge in terms of stature, but his potential to become an important player for the future is just as big.

Get to know more about our newest South Australian Saint, his five-year journey from Adelaide's NGA to the Saints, as well as the quirky, SpongeBob Squarepants tattoo that is sure to get a few laughs.

1. Another South Australian joins the Saints

There's quite the South Australian flavour building at St Kilda following this year's recent draft haul.

Keeler – originally from South Augusta, a small city 322 kilometres north of Adelaide – becomes the sixth South Australian recruit on the Saints' list heading into 2023, with fellow draftee Mattaes Phillipou also coming from the City of Churches.

The dream of becoming a footballer was instilled in him at a young age due to his father Kieron playing for their hometown. In addition to playing football, Isaac proved to be a talented junior cricketer and basketballer in his community. His love for football ultimately led him to make the move to Adelaide in Year 10, before being drafted to St Kilda a few years later.

2. Instagram-inspired ink

“I’d seen the design on Instagram one day.”

It's not the most conventional way to pick a tattoo, but that's the way Keeler went when choosing his quirky SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired ink. The character of Plankton is inked into his ankle, with no other reason given other than he liked the look of it.

Though Keeler is serious about his football, this tattoo proves that outside the game he’s quite the easygoing character.

3. Just like Paddy and Buddy

If Keeler can turn out anything like his two football role models, there's a seriously good talent potentially on the horizon.

The 18-year-old has based his game off of recently retired Saint Paddy Ryder and modern-day legend Lance Franklin, with Keeler's early glimpses of influential ruck craft, kicking and powerful marking an exciting appetiser for what could follow in the next few years.

Like his two football heroes, Isaac is of Indigenous heritage, hailing from the Kokatha and Mirning mobs. In addition, he becomes the sixth Indigenous player on the AFL list for 2023 alongside Bradley Hill, Jade Gresham, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager and Jack Peris.

4. Family ties in red, white and black

Keeler doesn't come to RSEA Park a total stranger, with the budding ruckman a distant cousin of exciting wingman Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

The Saints' No. 7 was one of the first people to call Isaac after his name was called out at pick No. 44 last Tuesday night, having spent quality time together when in South Australia, often down at the local driving range.

5. From the NGA to STK

After being identified as a potential talent while in Port Augusta, Isaac joined Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy and was a part of the squad for five years.

He was invited to train with Adelaide’s AFL side at the start of this year, exposing him to elite level of training and further driving his desire to earn his spot in the AFL. The experience generated the pattern of resilience and hard work that led to his successful season playing for the under-18 North Adelaide Roosters’ SANFL this year.

While the Crows didn't nominate Keeler under the NGA draft rules, it ended up being the perfect opportunity for the Saints to swoop in and secure the services of the South Australian.