FORMER St Kilda forward Daniel Archer is confident his best football is still in front of him, despite being plagued by injury since leaving the AFL.
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Archer, 22, finally put pen to paper with Wangaratta Rovers yesterday after being linked to the Hawks for several weeks.
The key forward, who was delisted by the Saints at the end of 2012, spent last year at North Adelaide in the SANFL but struggled to have an impact.
He broke his hand in his first trial match, before hamstring and thigh niggles further derailed his season.
He didn’t play his first senior game until round 19 and managed just two more for the year.
“It was disappointing but hopefully I’ve reached the end of that road,” Archer said.
“I’d like to think I’ve got my best footy in front of me, which is exciting.”
Archer said he was looking forward to linking up with fellow former AFL players James Mulligan and Jarrad Boumann at W.J. Findlay Oval this season.
The trio of talls shape as huge inclusions for the Hawks after a recent lack of key position players at the club.“It’s definitely exciting and it should be a big year for the club,” Archer said.
“I came up to train before Christmas and the boys were all really welcoming.
“There’s a few talls on the list now and hopefully we can all bring something to the team and have a bit of success.”
Archer, who spent two years as a rookie in the AFL, said he had learnt a lot playing and training alongside the likes of Nick Riewoldt and boom Lavington recruit Justin Koschitzke.
Archer won’t have to wait long to come up against his former teammate, with the Hawks hosting Koschitzke’s Panthers in round 3.
“It will be interesting,” Archer said with a laugh.
“Hopefully Rovers come out on top.
“I only played one senior game and a bit of NAB Cup but I learned a fair bit during my time there.
“Obviously you gain footy knowledge playing with those guys and playing at a club with good key forwards was beneficial.
“There’s a lot of talent up here and plenty of ex-AFL guys and I’ve heard a lot about the league.
“It’s exciting.”