SINCE signing for Warrington Wolves, Blake Austin has had some early mornings.

The Australian playmaker was announced as The Wire’s new marquee signing in July as he penned a three-year deal at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Since then, he says he’s been getting up early to watch his new team’s games as he completed the NRL season with Canberra Raiders.

He also enjoyed a whistle-stop trip to England in September, during which he took in The Wire’s Super 8s game against St Helens at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Austin returned to Australia to sort out the final stages of visa applications for his family and to attend the wedding of Raiders teammate Josh Papalii, but is expected to arrive in England permanently soon ahead of the start of pre-season training on November 19.

“I’m a big footy lover, so if there’s a game on I’ll watch it,” Austin said.

“Since I’ve signed, I’ve kept a pretty close eye on all the Warrington games. I’ve had to set my alarm for 4.30am on Thursdays and Fridays a few times!

“You can watch it on TV, but until you come and try this style of footy, you don’t know what it’s going to be about and that adds to the excitement for me.

“I knew for a while that I needed something new, in terms of leaving Canberra.

“When I was weighing up those options, I don’t think Super League was really in my thoughts.

“It wasn’t until I spoke to Steve and heard about Warrington that I considered coming over.

“The more I heard about it, the more I thought it would be a great opportunity to test myself.”

The Wire have signed six new players for the 2019 season, but it is the capture of Austin – a former Dally M half-back of the year award winner – that stands out among their recruitment business.

He gave supporters a taste of what they can expect from him when the new campaign rolls around.

“I’m 27 now, my career in the NRL took a while to take off,” he said.

“I’ve come off a few pretty good seasons and I’ve found my feet in the past four or five years.

“I like to run the footy and I will leave everything out on the field.

“I’ll try my hardest whenever I’m out there so hopefully the fans can appreciate that.

“There’s only so much you can Google, read about or look up on Youtube about somewhere.

“I’ve seen a few of the chants and the crowd seem pretty passionate. That’s one of the things I can’t wait to experience.”