New St Kilda midfielder Jack Steele believes games like Saturday’s against Carlton are the ones the Saints have to win if they are going to return to September for the first time since 2011.
Twice St Kilda pushed out to more than a three-goal lead and twice the Blues reeled St Kilda in, with Carlton taking the advantage early in the last quarter before Seb Ross drilled a goal from outside 50 to put the Saints back in front and back in control.
“They’re the games we need to win to make finals. I think the close ones are the most important ones. That’s three in a row for us and we want to make it four,” Steele told saints.com.au after the 19-point win on Saturday.
“Richo was just happy that we were able to push through after being tested. They kept coming at us and we kept responding so he was just happy with that.”
Steele said the newfound midfield depth at Linen House Centre has forced everyone to go to another level because they know if they don’t perform, someone else will step in and take their spot.
“I think that’s what we want in our midfield – we want options. We didn’t even have Koby Stevens, so if he’s in there he’s doing the same thing for us so it’s good to have options,” Steele said.
“I think that’s the difference between us now and us maybe two or three years ago. We’re just getting a lot more depth in the list obviously, it’s going to make it hard for people to step in and get a game.”
After being starved of opportunity during two seasons at Greater Western Sydney, Steele has played every game this season and quickly cemented a spot in Alan Richardson’s engine room.
At Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the Canberra product collected career-highs for possessions (29), contested possessions (17) and clearances (7), along with seven tackles.
“I’m just glad to be playing week in week out. I just need to be focused on each week as it comes I guess. I’m happy I’m playing each week but I’m not taking it for granted,” he said.
