Steele wants free agent Gresham to stay at St Kilda in 2023.
St Kilda captain Jack Steele says he wants Jade Gresham to continue beyond this season, despite the fact that the free agent is not guaranteed to stay.
Gresham, who turns 26 this week, is unsigned beyond this season and has been linked to fellow finalist Carlton, but St Kilda has the option of matching a bid for the restricted free agent.
The tiny forward-midfielder has appeared in 22 games this season, but was demoted to the bench in round 20 as his form dipped during the Saints’ post-bye slump.
Gresham has had over 20 disposals in three straight games and scored three goals in St Kilda’s 36-point triumph against Richmond a fortnight ago.
Steele described Gresham as a personal friend and an essential member of the club, but said his teammate’s future was uncertain.
“Gresh is a very good player and one who’s been around our club for a long time now,” Steele said in a statement.
“One of my close mates, so I want him to stay, but obviously it’s a decision him and his management need to make and work out as the weeks go on.”
The Saints captain said coach Ross Lyon was just as delighted as the players about the team’s return to the finals for the first time since 2020.
“(2020) was away from home and away from our fans, so to be doing it in Melbourne in front of our fans is just great,” Steele said in a statement.
“(Lyon) is clearly excited… We arrived (Tuesday morning) and discussed the loss to Brisbane and what went wrong for us there.
“This time last year we probably didn’t think we were going to be in this position with the changes that were coming, but I’m glad to be in this position and I’m glad we’ve got this opportunity in front of us.”
Steele stated that the Saints wanted to have all three of Max King (managed), Dougal Howard (wrist), and Seb Ross (hamstring) available for the Saturday afternoon final, but that no timetable had been set.
Steele praised the Saints’ added depth, especially with Zak Jones and Dan McKenzie fighting to return to football after lengthy absences.
“It’s something that we haven’t had throughout the whole year, especially early on in the season,” he told reporters.
Last Sunday, fewer than half of the Saints’ lineup had participated in their most recent final, a semi-final loss to Richmond in 2020.
Steele stated that the 12-point loss to Brisbane gave his less experienced teammates a taste of the effort required in finals.
“There’s a lot of players in the team now that weren’t around then and haven’t played a final,” the coach added.
“I feel like the game on the weekend was a fair reflection of what finals footy can bring and how high-pressure it can be.”
