North Adelaide premiership star Robbie Young now a Saint

ROBBIE Young did not test at the national or state combine – but the North Adelaide SANFL premiership star will be at an AFL club next season.

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Robbie Young did not test at the national or state combine – but the North Adelaide star will be at an AFL club next season.

St Kilda snared the 23-year-old goalsneak with pick No.67 at the national draft on Friday.

Young, who began his football career with Port Adelaide in the SANFL before switching to the Roosters this year, had a few conversations with the Saints after North won the grand final.

But Young refused to get ahead of himself because he missed out on AFL selection when he tested at the state combine in 2013 and was touted as a likely pick back then.

Robbie Young with his daughter Nayari after North’s SANFL grand final win. Young was selected by Saint Kilda at the AFL national draft on Friday. Picture: Sarah Reed

He said it came as a complete shock when the Saints picked him.

“I am a bit overwhelmed,” Young, of Paralowie, said.

“I thought I had a really good year (with North), but I didn’t really know what was going to happen.

“I just had to play the waiting game and hope for the best.

“I am absolutely thrilled that St Kilda is giving me an opportunity at the next level.”

Young kicked 19 goals from 19 games in his inaugural campaign with the Roosters after 41 matches at Port Adelaide.

He also lit up the field in North’s grand final victory over Norwood at Adelaide Oval with his pressure acts – and booted a crucial goal.

Robbie Young, in action during North’s semi-final against Sturt, is looking forward to starting his AFL career at St Kilda. Picture: Sarah Reed

Young was, however, forced to deal with personal misfortune this year following the deaths of his foster sister, Colleen, and his uncle, Clem, within a week of each other in April.

But he never lost sight of his AFL dream and continued to work hard to give himself the best opportunities.

“I dreamt of making the AFL as a kid and now it’s a reality,” Young said.

“All I have to do now is put in the hard yards back on the track and hopefully get picked for round one – that’s the next goal I am setting myself.

“It’s not how many touches I get in a game, or how many goals I kick, it’s more about the tackles, the pressure acts and forcing turnovers.”

Young will travel to Melbourne this weekend to meet his new teammates and coaches.

He is leaving his five-year-old daughter, Nayari, in Adelaide with her mother but he is keen to make his family, friends and fans proud.

Originally published as North Adelaide premiership star Robbie Young now a Saint