St Kilda's strange call to make captain Jack Steele the sub raised plenty of eyebrows, especially given rival clubs are reportedly "assessing" a move for the 29-year-old.
On Sunday against North Melbourne, Steele became the fourth skipper to begin the match as a substitute, replacing teammate Mitch Owens (hamstring) in the third quarter.
Saints coach Ross Lyon stressed the decision was solely around resting the midfielder, who is set to play his 200th game next week against Richmond.
"It happened after our main session on Thursday. I suppose initially I was a bit like, ‘oh, what's going on here?' And I know I haven't been setting the world on fire," Steele said.
"Initially I thought, ‘yeah, s***, it might be the end', which is only natural – it's only human to have those sorts of thoughts.
"But by the time the conversation finished, I was happy to keep my head up, buy into it … even today, I was going to run out with the warm-up top, and then Gem (Saints staffer Gemma Sammut) was like, ‘you might as well take it off and run out normally'.
"I was happy to do either way, because everyone was going to know at some point, but yeah, it was one we hadn't really done before."
Steele, who is contracted at Moorabbin until the end of 2027, is keen to remain at the club, despite the external noise that he could be a valuable option for a rebuilding side.
"Obviously, you can see what we're building. It's pretty special and exciting. I'm just trying to get through the year first, too," Steele said, according to the Herald Sun.
"I suppose I'll deal with that when it's all said and done."
"I've deleted social media. I don't watch any footy. So I couldn't give a rat's arse about it today.
"I'm happy at the club, and I just want to see this team do well, and see the boys do well. So that's all my primary concern is for the rest of the season."
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Lyon alluded to the decision as preparing Steele next week for his milestone, but also revealed he'd been battling a neck issue.
"Obviously, we're chasing performance, but you're trying to balance the human side with what's really the underlying antecedent cause," Lyon said.
"And in this case, we felt we've got some young mids coming through. You're banged up. You got your 200th, and that's all booked and sorted.
"And I said, 'Mate, you'll be starting in there next week'. Like, no problem.
"So hopefully it's a win-win. And I thought he came on (today) and had two quick clearances to help turn the game."
