Jack Macrae is relishing his fresh start at St Kilda after a challenging end to his time at the Western Bulldogs, where he found himself out of favour in the midfield rotation.
Speaking to Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary, Macrae expressed his excitement about the move, seeing it as a chance to return to his best football after being played out of position during his final years at the Bulldogs.
The three-time All-Australian midfielder, who had been relegated to the VFL and often used as the substitute in 2024, revealed that despite the difficulties he faced at the Dogs, his passion for the game and his belief in his abilities never wavered.
โIt's really exciting, I feel like a new draftee,โ Macrae said in the exclusive interview.
โI told Ross (Lyon) pretty early on that I wouldn't make this move if I didn't believe that I wasn't just coming to pad the super... I really felt like I could get back to my best football.โ
A message from Jack Macrae ๐ pic.twitter.com/44Zu9kwqVv
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) October 24, 2024
Macrae, who was traded to the Saints for pick 45 during the 2024 AFL Trade Period, acknowledged that his departure from the Bulldogs was bittersweet.
โTwo or three years ago I would have envisioned that I'd be a one-club player. It hasn't worked out like that,โ he said, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.
Nonetheless, he maintains there is no bad blood between him and his former club, including coach Luke Beveridge.
โAfter the trade went through, he sent me a really lovely message. He's a premiership coach for me, I'll see him at the reunion,โ Macrae added.
Rumours have circulated regarding Beveridge's relationships with some of the playing group, with speculation that his decision to play stars like Macrae out of position contributed to a fractured dynamic.
Macrae was often pushed into roles that didn't suit his strengths inside the contest, being shifted to the wing and half-forward flank, leading to a significant dip in his on-field impact.
Despite averaging over 30 disposals per game in 2022, his numbers fell to just 18.4 per game in 2024, as younger, faster players like Ed Richards and Adam Treloar took on more prominent roles in the Bulldogs' midfield.
St Kilda, meanwhile, are thrilled to have Macrae on board, with the club's football boss, David Misson, praising the veteran's experience and leadership. Macrae will be tasked with filling the void left by Seb Ross, and potentially Brad Crouch, who has been dealing with a degenerative knee issue.
He may also be expected to play a mentoring role to the Saints' young midfielders, guiding them with the wealth of experience he gained from playing alongside elite talent at the Bulldogs, particularly Marcus Bontempelli.
As he prepares for his 250th game in Round 1 of the 2025 season, Macrae is eager to prove that he still has plenty of strong football left in him.
The move to St Kilda could be more than just a change of sceneryโbut an opportunity to reignite his career and return to the form that made him one of the league's most decorated midfielders.
St Kilda fans will be watching closely, hoping that Macrae's arrival will bolster the inside grunt in the midfield, feeding Mattaes Phillipou and a potential new draftee such as Josh Smillie on the outside to help them push further up the ladder in 2025.
The Saints hold Picks 7 and 8 in the upcoming National Draft and will be under pressure to not squander their hand, given a poor run of recent draft history.
