Young small forward Corey Durdin has some extra special reasons to celebrate his move from Carlton to Port Adelaide during this year's AFL Trade Period.
The 23-year-old, who has battled injury concerns in his young career, kicked 48 goals in 64 appearances for the Blues after they took him with the 37th pick in the 2020 AFL Draft.
The South Australian has spoken often about how much his family means to him, including younger sister Shianne, his biggest fan who is blind due to a condition called leber congenital amaurosis.
Back on his 21st birthday in 2023, he said of his family: “It’s my purpose.
MORE: Reasons behind Charlie Curnow's desire to leave Carlton revealed
“Shianne and my family, everyone that’s close to me — I love them so much. It’s to make them proud, to represent myself and my family."
A three-team trade sent Durdin to the Power, Ben Ainsworth from the Suns to Carlton and picks 29, 67 and Port's future-second round pick to the Gold Coast.
In a chat with Trade Radio, Durdin articulated what his return to his home state means for Shianne and the rest of his family.
“She’s stoked. She’s absolutely over the moon,” he said.
“Not just her, my brother as well, my mum and dad, they’re really excited for me being back home.
“I get to be a bit more a part of (her life) … and that’s what I’m really excited for and she’s the same.”
Durdin's most productive season came back in 2022 when he played 21 games and kicked 15 goals.
He's had a series of shoulder reconstructions since then but the small forward, who is getting married in November, told media in Adelaide he's feeling great as he prepares to don Port Adelaide teal.
“Body's great. I’m really excited," he said. "The last three years I've had shoulder reconstructions, so it's been a bit of a game of catch up coming into pre-season and not hitting the ground running.
"So this year, my body feels great and I think there's a lot of growth for me coming into this pre-season.”