He isn't walking away with a premiership ring but Super League-bound five-eighth Blake Austin will leave Canberra confident he has otherwise achieved what he set out to do.
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The outgoing Canberra Raiders star will end a long wait when he links up with a Warrington Wolves outfit seemingly on the cusp of silverware on a three-year deal next month.
The former City Origin star was a revelation as the Raiders went within one game of a grand final appearance in 2016 but the Green Machine failed to replicate those lofty heights after missing the past two finals series.
While his tenure in Canberra didn't end like Austin wanted it to, he is adamant he can walk away pleased after four years and 88 games in the capital, at the height of which Telstra Tower was lit up in green.
"I came at a time when the Raiders needed a bit of a lift," Austin said.
"A few of us came in in 2015 and we managed to do that, we got the town excited about the team again. The last two years haven't been quite as successful but I’m happy with what I’ve been able to achieve here and I’m sad to leave.
"[However] I can’t wait [to get to Warrington]. It’s one of the weird things when you sign for a club three months ago and then you sit around waiting to leave in a way.
"There’s only so much you can google about Warrington, so it’ll be good to just get there and settle in, get my kids into school, and see what life is about over there."
Austin touched down in England with his family last month but he has returned to Canberra to pack up the house, sort out visas and attend Josh Papalii's wedding before leaving permanently to begin pre-season on November 19.
In between he has teamed up with former Hull Kingston Rovers centre Andrew Heffernan, a product of the Raiders system, to make his wheels spin faster.
Heffernan was forced to retire from rugby league earlier this year due to ongoing concussion issues and he has linked up with speed guru Roger Fabri to bring the Speed & Agility Academy to Canberra.
Austin trained alongside Raiders veteran Sia Soliola under the watchful eye of Heffernan on Thursday as he hones his sprinting technique before suiting up in a league renowned for its free-flowing style.
Many have wondered if Austin is packing his bags too early given his best can still match it with the NRL's finest.
The 27-year-old fielded interest from Parramatta and knocked back a deal north of $2 million to remain in the nation's capital, before he took up a lucrative three-year deal with Warrington.
But Austin is under no illusions as to how tough the competition will be as he prepares to join an outfit hurting after grand final and Challenge Cup final defeats.
"It’s footy to me. It’s an easy to sit from here and say it’s an easier brand of footy or things like that," Austin said.
"I’m trying too hard not to judge it before I try it. Aussie players that go over there, it’s a bit of a mixed bag with how they go. Not all of them go really well.
"From what I can gather, it’s important I stay fit, if I can manage to do that then I’m confident I can play some good footy.
"[Warrington] had a really successful year. They’re obviously hurting from a couple of grand final losses, but you’ve got to be in grand finals to win them and it shows they’re not far off.
"It’s important we go well again next year, hopefully I can make a bit of a difference and play a role in helping them get over the line."
