The 2016 Trade Period saw St Kilda strike a deal with GWS to bring a tough – albeit relatively unknown – man-bunned kid from Canberra into the club.
That kid’s name was Jack Steele.
Three years ago today, the Saints took a punt on the 20-year-old Giant, handing over a future second-round pick in exchange for the tackling machine.
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Steele had played 17 games for GWS across two seasons but was never able to lock down a spot in the best 22.
And with the Belconnen product looking for greener pastures and the Saints after some much-needed grunt and youth in the middle, the deal was done.
The new Saint enjoyed a dominant 20-game opening season in red, white and black, including a three-vote Brownlow performance against West Coast, with 26 disposals (20 contested), 12 tackles, 10 clearances and two goals.
It was a sign of what was to come, with Steele’s physicality and pressure entrenching him as a key cog in the Saints’ midfield after just a single season.
Despite a disappointing follow-up campaign for his side as a whole, the unexpected emergence of Steele as a tagger was a major highlight of Season 2018.
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As the inside bull thrived against the likes of Nat Fyfe, Patrick Cripps and Ben Cunnington, he steadily drew eyeballs with each passing week.
A podium finish at the 2018 Trevor Barker Award capped off his superb year and saw him gain the recognition he deserved.
It was a feat mirrored in 2019, with the season just gone marking his best campaign to date.
Steele amassed a league-high 164 tackles and topped the total tackle count in 12 of his 20 matches.
An 18-tackle exhibition against North Melbourne in Round 16 was just one off the all-time record for the most tackles in a game, while sensational efforts against Gold Coast, Carlton and Melbourne backed up his unrelenting pressure.
And it was through these uncompromising displays on the inside which saw the No. 9 take the next step forward in becoming a star midfielder of the competition.
Steele's commitment and toughness at the contest was unquestionable, with the example he set week after week inspiring his teammates.
His versatility and natural leadership have established him as one of the Saints’ most important – and most admired – players.
After a career of only 78 games so far, the Jack Steele trade has already paid dividends.
