Former St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has revealed that he blocked Jack Steven's request to leave the Saints last year.
Richardson confirmed that Steven had spoken to his former coach about a potential trade, backing up mounting speculation that this was the case.
“It was shut down really quickly. He was really good about it too," he told SEN Breakfast.
“With me, certainly from a coaches’ perspective, (I said) no Jack, we need you, we can’t have you go."
With reports linking Steven with a move to Geelong once again, Richardson is intrigued to see where the midfielder will be playing his football in 2020.
“Jack was certainly asking the question last year," he said.
“He’s obviously a four-time best and fairest winner, we’ve been in the market for people like Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel, we were after elite mids to complement, let alone lose one.
“It’s been a tough year for Jack, that’s obviously been well documented.
“Jack just needs to make sure he gets himself right. My understanding is that he’s tracking the right way.
“He’s just a terrific person, he comes from a great family, he loves Lorne and certainly the last couple of years, there’s been a pull down there.
“That’ll be interesting to see where that goes. There’ll be a balance.
“(The Saints will do) the right thing by Jack with his circumstances and his mental health and of course, they’ve got to keep doing the right thing by the footy club. It’s a delicate one.”
Richardson believes that the Cats will ask the question again but the Saints will “certainly want something for him” due to being an “outstanding” player for the club.
Listen to Alan Richardson on SEN Breakfast in the player below: