Melbourne has made a late approach to St Kilda captain Jack Steele as the trade period nears its close.

The Saints sounded out Steele earlier this month on his willingness to explore a move, but the 29-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to the club he has served for nine years.

However, Foxfooty.com.au understands the Demons this week reached out to gauge Steele’s interest in a switch to Melbourne.

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New coach Steven King is set to lose both Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, with the star midfield duo expected to join Gold Coast and GWS respectively later on Wednesday afternoon.

Their departures leave a gaping hole in Melbourne’s engine room — one Steele would be well placed to help fill.

The Demons’ approach reflects the club’s aggressive midfield reset under King, as Melbourne looks to add leadership and defensive balance to its on-ball brigade.

Steele is contracted until the end of 2027 on a long-term deal signed in 2021, meaning any move would likely require salary cap manoeuvring from Melbourne.

Steele runs out before the Round 24 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and St Kilda Saints at ENGIE Stadium on August 24, 2025 (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The arrival of Sam Flanders at Moorabbin last week could further squeeze Steele’s midfield role under Ross Lyon, with the former Sun moving south after a change in role under Damien Hardwick that saw him play reduced midfield minutes.

Despite speculation around his long-term role, Steele has remained loyal to the Saints. In his meeting earlier this month, he did indicate a desire to step down from the captaincy he has held single-handedly for the past four seasons.

Steele has played 202 AFL games across 11 seasons — 185 of them with St Kilda since joining from GWS at the end of 2016.

St Kilda has so far added Flanders, Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni and Liam Ryan this off-season, while reserve ruck Max Heath departed for Melbourne last week.

Star ruck Rowan Marshall is still hopeful of a last-minute move to Geelong today after the Saints rejected the Cats’ initial offer of Pick 19.