St Kilda recruit Dougal Howard on being traded from Port Adelaide and his role at his new club in 2020

Dougal Howard’s move to St Kilda frustrated Port Adelaide supporters who thought he was a part of the Power’s future. Now, he’s addressed his new role at the Saints...in defence.

Dougal Howard of the Saints in action during a St Kilda Saints training session at RSEA Oval in Melbourne, Wednesday, January 29, 2020. (AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy) NO ARCHIVING

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St Kilda recruit Dougal Howard is enjoying life at Moorabbin, with his role in the club’s defence made a bit clearer than it was at Port Adelaide.

The 23-year-old played 45 games for the Power, which included 20 in a breakout 2018 campaign in defence.

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Yet, he was traded to the Saints along with ruckman Paddy Ryder, pick 10 in the 2019 AFL Draft and a 2020 fourth-round selection for picks 12 and 18 and a 2020 third-round selection.

Howard said on SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning he made the decision to seek a fresh start during the trade period as he thought it was the ‘right move for my career’.

“It was a little disappointing how things finished last year, so a fresh start was probably the best thing for me,” he said.

“There were a few things that went on that not necessarily disappointed me, but were a bit confusing.

Dougal Howard during a St Kilda training session. Picture: AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy.

“Hopefully now, a fresh start and smooth sailings ahead.”

Howard said he believed his best footy was down back, but the Power had other ideas.

“It was a little bit with how I was used,” he said.

“I was fine playing up forward, nothing against that.

“I thought my best footy was as a defender so that was one thing I guess that was more of a shock … that was sort of the main thing I guess.

“I was sort of told that while I was going to be at Port in the near future, I wasn’t going to be playing in the back line at all going forward … that was where it was at going into the off season.”

Dougal Howard slumps after a one-point loss to GWS. Picture: Sarah Reed.

The Saints have heaped the faith into the young defender, and Howard is eager to get back to playing footy down back at his new club.

“I’ll be starting down back here, I’ll still keep the versatility of my game and if I need to swing down the forward line or ruck, I can.”

Howard is expected to come face-to-face with his old club for the first time in China on May 31.

The Saints get the Marsh Series underway against Hawthorn next Thursday.

Originally published as St Kilda recruit Dougal Howard on being traded from Port Adelaide and his role at his new club in 2020