Jack Steele was "adamant" that he didn't want to leave St Kilda after enduring all the hardships over the past decade, as the club is on the precipice of a rise.
Steele's departure from Moorabbin to Melbourne was arguably the biggest surprise move of the 2025 trade period.
The midfielder had told the Saints powerbrokers that he would stand down as captain for the 2026 season, but following his exit meeting, he came out and began exploring his options at rival clubs.
Steele crossed from the Giants ahead of the 2017 season, and has tasted finals experience twice in the tri colours, but was never part of a meaningful premiership push.
St Kilda hit the off-season market hard after a period of a draft-heavy focus, luring free agents Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, as well as trading in Liam Ryan and Sam Flanders.
The Saints are on the march, but now without their heartbeat.
Steele was traded to the Demons for a 2027 third-round pick on deadline day, but his manager, Dave Trotter of Hemisphere Management Group, explained how difficult it was.
"The hard thing was, it came quickly," Trotter said Thursday on AFL Trade Radio.
"They only let Jack know a week or two ago that they'd like him to have a look around, that it might be best for him.
"Credit to St Kilda to get the deal done. They made it quite easy for Jack to move.
"Jack's biggest quality is how loyal he is. It took a lot to get his head around this move.
"He is a Saints person. He bleeds for the club. He really struggled with it. But when we sat down and weighed it all up, he realised it was the best thing."
Many pundits are expecting the Saints to rise up the ladder in 2026, given their aggressive offseason, as well as the reported money attached to the new quartet, on top of the revised contract to fullback Callum Wilkie and $4 million tied to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
"That was his hardest thing that he'd been through some tough times with the Saints," Trotter added.
"And he's really hopeful still that they have some success with what they've done. Saints were pretty honest... will he be a part of that midfield? What his role might look like? It might have been a challenge for him.
"But while others in his situation would jump at the opportunity for a fresh start, it took him a long time to come to terms with it."
Trotter admitted that Steele almost refused to talk to rival clubs, and would see out his two-year contract at St Kilda.
But he slowly warmed to the idea, with the prospect of Melbourne enough to lure him into a meeting with Steven King and his team.
Our new #9? ๐ Go inside Jack Steeleโs first phone call with the team following his move on Wednesday night.
FULL VIDEO ๐ | https://t.co/kj1rmhEHaN pic.twitter.com/DGNzW2uPD5
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) October 17, 2025
"He had a few clubs reach out," Trotter said.
"He didn't want to speak to any of them. He was adamant about staying at the Saints. And credit to Melbourne, they wanted one meeting, and they're making some changes down there.
"Steven King coming in, he was very impressive and the whole team down there, and the way they pitched it. Jack walked into that meeting thinking he was no chance, and he left feeling very valued and wanted."
