![\"Steele](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3b8954e93ca295fa360e5402449f4d0e49aefe41.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cYou can\u2019t teach that to young players and he has already got it. There is obviously a lot of pressure and talk, but I think he\u2019ll back it up. He\u2019s a pleasure to watch and [was] a pleasure to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Steele won\u2019t be there to watch his rise at close quarters after joining Melbourne on the final day of last year\u2019s trade period, having already stepped down as St Kilda captain at the end of the season after deciding midway through the year he would relinquish the title. But he will get a glimpse in a fortnight when St Kilda play Melbourne in round one.<\/p>\n
A dual All-Australia, Steele said his desire to stay and fight for his spot at the Saints changed after he met new Demons\u2019 coach Steven King and list manager Tim Lamb. Their enthusiasm for what he could offer and respect for what he had achieved was enough to convince him to make the switch.<\/p>\n
He can say now that he wasn\u2019t enjoying his football last season, as much as he was trying to put on a brave front around the club to lead his teammates.<\/p>\n
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Steele shovels the ball out to Wanganeen-Milera while they were teammates at St Kilda.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The change has him freshened up. Not only is Steele enthused about being at a new club with a new coach, but he is relishing the release of no longer captain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a fair weight off my shoulders; a lot less pressure for sure\u201d Steele admits.<\/p>\n
\u201cKingy\u2019s trying to take as much anxiety out of the program and [have us] enjoy the program … as long as we work hard. It has been fun. That will all be tested when the season comes around, but it has been a great place to go to work so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Working hard has never been an issue for Steele, who played under duress regularly while he was Saints skipper. He will be required to step up immediately at Melbourne, with vice-captain Jack Viney to absent early in the season with injury.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old\u2019s role in Melbourne\u2019s new-look midfield will be vital. He is clear about what his role is, and the club\u2019s confidence in him is apparent. He is also motivated by the clean slate he has at the Demons, and is looking forward to experiencing life alongside captain Max Gawn.<\/p>\n
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New Melbourne coach Steven King has started his senior coaching career at the DemonsCredit: AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s [King] really simplified the game for everyone but for me, too. I was probably overthinking things a bit in the last couple of the years,\u201d Steele said.<\/p>\n
Steele says King has a relatability that suits him. But although he admires the first-time coach, he doesn\u2019t want to leave the impression King \u2013 who played 47 games at St Kilda after a distinguished career at Geelong \u2013 is casual and relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe still has a hard edge and he still demands excellence, and he is still ruthless in the way he presents,\u201d Steele said. \u201cBut he has got a soft touch about him, I suppose, which I feel resonates a lot with this generation. I am not going to compare him with what I have had in the past, but he is still very in touch with the group. Maybe that is easier at the start of your coaching tenure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A two-time winner of the best-and-fairest award and third placegetter in the 2020 Brownlow Medal at St Kilda, Steele maintains an enormous regard for his former teammates. But he is a Demon now who can\u2019t wait to contribute and mentor the club\u2019s next generation of midfielders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I can enjoy my footy a little bit more with a fresh start … and just go out and play footy,\u201d Steele said.<\/p>\n