He has lined up against the likes of Matthew Pavlich, Travis Cloke and Drew Petrie in the early stages of his AFL career, but there is still one opponent Logan Austin can't wait to face.
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His best mate and new St Kilda on-baller Jack Steele.
For so much of their lives the pair have walked an identical path - same junior club, same school, same holiday destinations, same draft class.
And while it's not a feat to hang their hats on, they both finished 2016 on the injury list - meaning they are both itching to get back out on the paddock and prove themselves.
Austin and Steele are the young guns flying the flag for Canberra in the AFL, having already carved out what could best be described as a junior dynasty at the Belconnen Magpies.
"It'd be nice to play against Jack," Austin said.
"We haven't played against each other at AFL level yet, we were meant to last year but he broke his hand the week before we played the Giants.
"Now that he's at St Kilda, I know he's enjoying it there. It'd be good to play against him.
"I'm used to doing it alongside him in juniors and stuff like that, but it'd be pretty surreal to play against him at either Adelaide Oval or in Melbourne.
"But that's a long way away, I'm just trying to get some form back and crack into the AFL side as quick as I can."
Should all go to plan the pair will play against each other in round 19 at Adelaide Oval - meaning they have to wait until July 29.
Canberra's five-year AFL draft drought was broken by the two best mates in 2014, who had been inseparable since they were 11 years old.
Austin and Steele were both Greater Western Sydney academy products, but the former was overlooked by the Giants and soon found himself on a plane to Adelaide.
Steele was taken by GWS and played 17 games in two years, but was starved of opportunity and has linked up with another Canberra product in Josh Bruce at St Kilda this season.
Bruce joined St Kilda's leadership group this season, following in the footsteps of Marist College export and Giants co-captain Phil Davis.
Austin says getting a taste of playing at the highest level was "pretty crucial" after he broke into the senior side for a clash with Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground midway through the year.
"When you first get to an AFL club you just want to earn respect," Austin said.
"Getting that taste of AFL footy, I know what to expect now and I know what areas of the game I need to improve on and what areas I'm doing well at. It kind of helps you out, getting that taste for it."
Austin's pre-season has been hampered after finishing the final game of the 2016 season with an ankle fracture which left him in need of surgery.
"If there was a good time to get an injury it's in the last game of the year," Austin said.
"I was very happy that I got to play 11 games at the end of the year and got the taste for what AFL footy is like."
