What a difference a year makes.
This time last year, Jack Steele was only just joining the main group for the first time after arriving from Greater Western Sydney with his foot in a moon boot.
Fast forward 12 months, the inside midfielder has not only banked a comprehensive summer on the track, he also added 20 games of senior experience in his maiden season in red, white and black.
Steele, 21, played three more games in his first year at the Saints than he did across two years in the harbour city, averaging 22.1 disposals, 7.9 tackles and 3.9 clearances per game in 2017.
St Kilda Senior Assistant Coach, Simon McPhee, said Steele has made significant inroads this summer due to his ability to get the work in on the track.
“Jack’s had a really good pre-season so far that should set him up for the year ahead,” McPhee told saints.com.au on Wednesday afternoon.
“The benefit of being able to get out on the track and stay out there this year is the difference in his conditioning; there is a significant difference in the way he looks this year compared to last year.
“With the
McPhee, who has taken over the midfield reins from new transition coach Adam Kingsley, said Steele is still building the inner belief he can perform at the highest level on a regular basis, and as his confidence grows, so will his game.
“We’re pretty lucky to have such a humble, hungry group that just want to work. And that’s exactly what Jack is,” McPhee said.
“He’s a guy that is still building his confidence and self-belief that he can play at this level.
“We’re seeing that in the way he trains now and the way he played in the second half of last year. His ability to continually perform is just going to build that confidence and belief.”
