During the 2025 off-season, North Melbourne tabled a five-year deal to emerging midfield talent Marcus Windhager but St Kilda's late play to raise their contract offer from two years to four sealed the deal to retain their budding star.
However, Windhager revealed on Thursday afternoon that the factors leading to his extension were simple, though the 23-year-old was hesitant to confirm just how close he came to departing the Moorabbin-based outfit.
"Around that time of year, there's obviously a lot of rumours floating around," Windhager said.
"But being a part of the young culture that's come through in the last five or so years, I've built great connections with a lot of those boys, including Mitch [Owens] and Nasiah [Wanganeen-Milera] who are my best mates.
"I think ever since I got here, I wanted to achieve that end goal of winning a premiership with those lads."
Windhager admitted that superstar Wanganeen-Milera's decision to sign a four-million-dollar contract extension over two years was a sign that St Kilda was the place to be.
"Nasiah is one of my best mates and his decision was a big one. Him staying was really good for me as we both share that desire to have success at the Saints," Windhager said.
"At the end of the day, I just wanted to stick here and build out that dream of playing with those boys. I love the group here and the culture here and, in the end, I just wanted to be a part of that."
Windhager had been open to moving clubs in the search for more on-ball midfield opportunities, having primarily featured in a tagging role or on the wings last season. He averaged 22.1 disposals, 3.4 inside 50s and 4.7 score involvements per game in 2025, all career highs.
Windhager stated that he's been trialled across the field at Moorabbin during this pre-season as senior coach Ross Lyon bolsters his role into a versatile ball-winning option.
"I've been floating around a few different positions and worked closely with the coaches about where that fits best," Windhager said.
"I think for now, it's a bit of midfield, bit of half-back. I've been working close with both groups."
While there's been plenty of chatter in the media regarding the Saints' lofty expectations for 2026 after their lucrative off-season haul, Windhager said the players are buying into the hype, unafraid to mention the F-word.
"It's more of an exciting feeling around the club," Windhager said of the pressure to make finals.
"There is that level of expectation and for us, that expectation for us is to make finals... but we know we have to earn it and that starts with all the work we've put in over the pre-season.
"[But it's] super exciting, the four boys we've added to our list and Nasiah staying on was huge for the club and the playing group as well."
Windhager and St Kilda will take on Gold Coast in a match simulation at People First Stadium on February 19 before the Saints play an official pre-season clash against Essendon on February 28 at Mars Stadium.
