New St Kilda recruit Jack Steele is hoping to break into the Saints' round one side after a strong showing during the JLT Community Series following a return from a broken foot.
Steele only began training with the Saints in late January following surgery to repair a fractured metatarsal in September, and was managed in his St Kilda debut against Port Adelaide in week two of the pre-season matches a fortnight ago.
He was instrumental in their 92-point thumping of Carlton at the weekend, and the 21-year-old is now setting his on St Kilda's round one clash with Melbourne on March 25, although he admits that's going to be easier said than done.
"It's definitely my goal to crack the midfield for round one," Steele said.
"I haven't had a full pre-season – I've been injured for half of it, so it's understandable if they pick someone over me.
"But I'm still going to put my best foot forward in the last JLT game and hopefully play round one.
"I'm pretty confident they'll pick the best team (of players) who have performed in the pre-season so far."
Steele made 17 appearances for GWS over the past two seasons, and decided he needed to leave the Giants at the end of last season despite the club being in such a strong position.
Heading to a club on the rise was a no-brainer for Steele, and St Kilda's JLT Series form just reaffirms to the midfielder that the Saints are a legitimate finals contender in 2017.
"That was one of my main things, to come to a club that was on the way up," Steele said.
"The Saints were the perfect fit for me, so I'm glad we're going in the right direction and hopefully playing finals this year.
"We're looking to get momentum going into round one and get as much practice in.
"I think JLT four is going to be a dress rehearsal for round one and we're going to practice how we play as much as we can so we can get up for round one and have a good start to the season."