Growing up in Melbourne, Otten played Basketball and Football growing up, before eventually focusing on a career in football. While he used to watch Hawthorn train at Waverley Park, it was the Adelaide Crows who called Otten’s name in the 2007 draft.

Debuting in 2008, Otten quickly found a home in the backline. Across a 12 year career he played 109 games and developed into a mentor for young Crows coming through. Having identified that coaching was a likely career path for him post-football, Otten took part in the AFL Coaches’ Association Next Coach Program, while he spent time working with the coaches while on the sidelines with various injuries. In 2020 Otten moved seamlessly into a development role with Hawthorn, while he has also completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.