A three-time State of Origin winning star will try his hand at local footy in 2023

A former Melbourne Storm premiership star has made a dramatic code switch and is now trying his hand at footy. See latest.

Will Chambers of the Melbourne Storm is congratulated by Suliasi Vunivalu of the Melbourne Storm and Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Melbourne Storm after scoring a try during the Round 25 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Friday, September 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Dodging tackles at the Peanut Farm will be a brave approach for opposition players in 2023 with rugby star Will Chambers joining St Kilda City on the eve of the season.

The Southern Division 1 club unveiled its cross-code recruit on Tuesday night in a practice match with East Brighton.

Chambers made 226 NRL appearances for Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks, scoring 85 tries, while also representing Queensland on 13 occasions and Australia seven times.

The now 34-year-old had two stints playing rugby union, his latest being just last year with LA Giltinis in America’s Major League Rugby.

“He’s been off and on, we have had contact with him and we’re lucky enough that he has decided to have a bit of a run with us,” St Kilda City coach Richard Houston said.

“He’s a very professional person, knows his stuff and is picking up footy really quickly.

“He’s quite interesting, he’s picked up structures really quick and then has a leadership capacity within him to relay what the coaches have told.

“He’s an elite sportsman, he is going to pass on a lot of wisdom, hopefully he can instil no fear into the players.

“He is going to be a tackling machine, once he gets his running patterns down pat… good luck to the blokes that get in front of him.”

Chambers is expected to play every game with the Saints in 2023.

St Kilda City host Port Melbourne Colts in the opening round of the Southern Football Netball League Division 1 season on April 15.