Farren Ray is determined to prove he's not washed up as an AFL footballer at the age of 22.

The No.4 selection from the 2003 national draft is preparing to start his first pre-season with St Kilda after being traded by the Western Bulldogs.

And he feels he can force his way into the Saints side next season after struggling as one of a long list of midfield options at the Whitten Oval.

Ray read the signs after he was dropped following the Bulldogs' 51-point loss to Hawthorn in this year's qualifying final.

He admits he made several crucial skill errors which probably sealed his fate but is out to redeem himself at Moorabbin where he hopes to rekindle his career with "opportunity and hopefully something new".

"Coming into a new place, it's not going to be easy," said Ray, who played 75 games in five seasons for the Bulldogs, including 13 in 2008.

"I'm not going to just walk straight into the side but once again I'm relishing this opportunity the Saints have given me."

Saints coach Ross Lyon has discussed a slightly different role for the hard-running West Australian in 2009.

"My main strength is my run and I obviously like to play through the midfield but he also mentioned about playing half-back - using me back there and freeing up some other players," he said.

"But the first thing is pre-season, then we'll worry about where I'm playing after that."

And he doesn't think he will have any problems adapting from the Bulldogs' fast-paced style of play.

"Obviously with the Bulldogs it's such a running game, I played that for five years, but when you get out there, football's football and I'm sure I'll learn the game plan pretty quickly," he said.

Ray is fortunate in transferring from one top four team this year to another with similar potential.

"I see the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda as very similar. Obviously both made the prelim (preliminary final) and are really looking to play in a premiership and St Kilda's got everything they need to do that," he said.

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