ARR sent me this interview he did with Minch a while ago, he has been waiting for this day and is shattered he can't post it himself, so for you ARR, here is another 'short post'.
DARREN Minchington says he will never forget the moment he walked into St Kilda Football Club.
It was December 13, 2011, and the boy from Dromana had just been picked up by the Saints with their final pick in the 2011 rookie draft, number 65.
Four days before, he had celebrated his 18th birthday.
"It was very exciting, but I was a bit nervous at the same time. Walking in and seeing (Nick) Riewoldt and (Brendon) Goddard was amazing," he said.
Straight away, Minchington said he felt part of the club.
"They (his new teammates) were all really good, they came up and introduced themselves," he said.
"I knew all the players' names from the first day, they all came up to me. It was good."
Nearly five months into life as an AFL-listed player and Minchy, as his St Kilda teammates call him, is loving life.
A Richmond supporter growing up, Minchington says joining the Seaford-based Saints has been ideal.
He's been able to continue living at home with mum and dad and, as he points out with a contented smile, continue enjoying mum's cooking each night.
Parents Alan and Kate have raised a close-knit and talented family (Kate, by the way, is a passionate Saints fan). Darren is the youngest of six, made up of five boys and one girl (Lisa).
Childhood was filled with fun and sport, Darren said.
"We were always playing footy, cricket, basketball, squash."
Darren attended Padua College and played footy with Dromana before going to the Dandenong Stingrays. He says he was blessed to be guided by some astute coaches, including Peter Hall, Gavin Artico and Graeme Yeats.
A dangerous small forward with pace to burn, Darren wants to learn and develop in all areas.
He began the season playing in the VFL with Sandringham wearing number 41, and kicked a goal in each of his first three games.
But he admits he's got a long way to go and is working in the gym to put muscle on his 77kg frame.
"My best position is as a small forward, but hopefully I'll turn myself into a midfielder, get bigger and stronger," he said.
Before being drafted by St Kilda, Darren spoke to Essendon and even attended Bombers training in Bendigo. But he's glad he ended up at the Saints.