'I love this club': Out-of-contract Steele flags Saintly future
St Kilda star Jack Steele has declared he isn't planning on going anywhere with the out-of-contract midfielder saying he wants to finish his AFL career at the Saints.
Having been traded from Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2016, Steele has been a consistent performer for St Kilda, finishing third in the club's best and fairest in both 2018 and 2019, earning a reputation as one of the AFL's top taggers.
But given permission to spread his wings by coach Brett Ratten this year, Steele, 24, has emerged as more of an offensive threat. His two-way impact has catapulted him to the top five of the AFL Coaches' Association's player of the year award, and not at a bad time either given his contract is due to expire at season's end.
Steele said on Tuesday that talks between his management and the club had opened about a new deal, and said he wanted to be a part of the club for the long haul.
"They're underway, that's about all I can say," Steele said of contract negotiations.
"[I'm] absolutely [keen to stay]. I love this club and I like the position we're in. I definitely want to be a part of this club for the rest of my career."
Jack Steele of the Saints celebrates a goal.Credit:Getty Images
Steele said he had enjoyed the freedom afforded to him by Ratten this year.
"It's been great to play a different role I guess. I've still done my defensive role at times when needed but it's been good to sort of get off the leash a little bit.
"The midfield as a whole has been quite positive. We've got a lot of versatility.
"At times I've felt that players are coming to me at stoppages a little bit more than what they used to.
"I've had that tagging role for the last couple of years. I've really been starved of opportunity in terms of playing my offensive game, so the fact I've got the tick of approval by the coach to go out and play football a bit more."
He is also eyeing off finals football, with the Saints well-positioned to end a nine-year finals drought.
"Absolutely, we're probably in the best position we've ever been since I've been here. Definitely coming across to the Saints I wanted to be in this position a lot quicker."
St Kilda confront the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday.