A CANDID Jack Steven has revealed his "out of character" inquiries at his seasonal exit meeting and ruled out pursuing any potential interest from Geelong.
AFL.com.au understands the 28-year-old questioned the club's hierarchy about whether there would be another rebuild, and if he would be better served searching for a flag elsewhere.
However, the Saints are determined to rebound quickly and will likely land Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery during the NAB AFL Trade Period.
Steven explained to reporters why he asked the "hard-hitting questions".
"I think that's probably down more to my personality. it was probably a little bit out of character for me," Steven said.
"That meeting wasn't necessarily that crazy – that probably happens a lot over the AFL world, but I'm pretty low-key and pretty reserved, so if I've spoken up a little bit, it was probably a little bit out of character.
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"I think that's where maybe the story came from, but there was nothing really that crazy. It was a pretty productive meeting really.
"I caught up with Richo yesterday (Tuesday) for a coffee.
"He was pretty happy with the (exit) meeting but obviously I'm pretty quiet and reserved and I've now come in with a few hard-hitting questions, it might've been a little bit different."
Steven, a member of the leadership group, found his voice because he wanted to understand why the Saints had found themselves in their predicament, having won four games in 2018.
"I just think it was because of our progression. The last three years, it's been so exciting each year. We've probably gone up, up, up, I'd say, and then this year's been definitely a dip," Steven said.
"You just ask why. It'd be weird not to. If you walked into that meeting happy, it'd just be like, what are you doing? I want to win games, I want to win premierships."
As far as Steven's concerned, he did what was necessary.
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"It's my profession as well. I think it's my job to ask and it's their job to answer and they answered well. That's just how it's at," Steven said.
"I think this time of year, stories get blown out of proportion and stories are made all about the trade."
Asked directly whether he would be at the Saints in 2019, Steven responded, "Yeah, yeah. I'm contracted and very happy."
Hailing from Lorne on Victoria's west coast, the connection with the Cats is obvious, but he hasn't spoken to them.
"Because I'm from down the coast, I think they've always loved the Falcons boys. Won a best and fairest down there so they've probably had me on their radar possibly, I'm not too sure," Steven said.
Contracted until the end of 2020, don't expect to see Steven leaving any time soon.
"I'm happy at the Saints. I don't really see how that could change," Steven said.
He sees improvement coming from those who struggled this season.
"I really rate a lot of our boys that had average years this year and I think it's not up to me necessarily, but those boys who can lift. I see such big upside. I'm so excited," Steven said.
Steven declared his confidence St Kilda would thrive soon enough.
"I can't wait for the years to come. We've got a big bunch of boys that are all the same age. I'm probably a little bit older now, which is a little bit scary, but I'm looking forward to the future," Steven said.
The Saints star took home his fourth best and fairest on Wednesday night, bringing himself level with Robert Harvey.
Steven was delighted to win but the comparison to the Saints great, who wore No.35, made him uneasy.
"It's not good, not good. I was No.34 when I first came in, so I sat next to him. I knew who he was then, and I knew how great he was then and it doesn't feel good at all, but I guess that's what happens," Steven said.
