It was through a 6am text message that new recruit Jack Steele learnt the fate of his new football home.
On holiday in tropical Thailand, Steele awoke to his phone buzzing with messages, confirming the news Jack longed to hear – he was officially a St Kilda player.
Steele, 20, made the move from Greater Western Sydney in the 2016 NAB AFL Trade Period, with St Kilda trading a 2017 second round pick to secure the talented Giant.
Playing 17 games across two seasons for the Giants, Steele averaged 15 disposals and four tackles in a midfield filled with elite talent.
Starved for playing time, Steele was hungry for opportunities elsewhere and a move to the Saints was a match made in heaven.
“I think there was a lot more opportunity here than there was at the Giants.” Steele told saints.com.au in his first interview as a St Kilda footballer.
“The Giants were stacked with talent and it was hard to get a consistent game. So I think St Kilda was the best suit for me and I’m glad I’m finally here.”
Born and raised in the nation’s capital, Steele starred as a junior, winning All-Australian honours as NSW/ACT’s MVP in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
As the first Giant to be drafted from their academy in Canberra, Steele has always played his footy away from the spotlight.
The move to Melbourne’s AFL fishbowl-like environment, renown for its daily scrutiny and pressure, poses a challenge Steele is looking to embrace.
“I’ve heard things about Melbourne,” Steele said.
“I’m interested to see what its like, but I don’t want to take it too seriously. I just want to enjoy it while I’m here.”
Steele joins a midfield brigade brimming with young talent. The emergence of Seb Ross, Blake Acres, Luke Dunstan and Jack Newnes has eased the engine room pressure on David Armitage and reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven.
Conversations with senior coach Alan Richardson have ensured Jack he will add some much needed grunt to the Saints centre line.
“I think he sees me as a mid,” Steele said.
“Hopefully I’ll be playing majority of my football in the midfield, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it and hopefully playing a few games for the club.”
It was the ball-winning, contested style that took the eye of recruiters and anointed him a future cog in the Saints midfield machine.
Before he can hit the ground running in preparation for 2017, Steele must first overcome a foot injury suffered on eve of the NEAFL Grand Final.
Expected to return to full training after the Christmas break, Steele will ease the rust before joining the rigours of pre-season training.
“It’s (foot) going well, I’ve just started walking without the moon boot but its feeling good and hopefully I’m running in a couple of weeks,” Steele said.
“I’m going to do a bit of rehab before Christmas and maybe run over the Christmas break, then when I get back after the break in January is when I’m into full training.”
