The Saints will unveil a fourth mature-age recruit this Saturday when Robbie Young makes his debut against the Magpies.
The 24-year-old has forced his way into Alan Richardson’s 22 for the clash at the MCG after a string of strong performances for Sandringham in the VFL.
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Boasting incredible speed and an appetite for hard tackling, Young will follow in the footsteps of Matty Parker, Jonathon Marsh and former North Adelaide teammate Callum Wilkie, who have already made their debuts for the Saints in 2019.
Young has bagged four goals from five games at VFL level, but it’s his unrelenting defensive pressure which has caught the eye.
The indigenous livewire rattles opposition defenders with his devasting closing speed and tireless hunt on the football.
Young was first eligible to be drafted in 2013 but despite his obvious attributes, tipped the scales at a wafer-thin 63kg.
He was overlooked in the annual cattle call a staggering five times, but toiled away in the SANFL to put on 10kg and gain several years’ experience of senior footy.
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Finally, St Kilda threw the North Adelaide premiership star a lifeline in 2018, taking him with pick No. 67 in the National Draft.
Young has since formed a close bond with fellow draftee Matty Parker, with the pair’s pace set to light up the MCG this Saturday against the Pies.