St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary says Jack Steven’s overall happiness is more important to him than remaining teammates.
Speculation surrounding the Saints midfielder and a potential move to Geelong has again reared its head after he reportedly requested a trade to the Cats last year.
Four-time Best & Fairest Steven has taken time away from the game this season to deal with mental health issues and if he were to up and leave the Saints to be closer to his family, it would be with the blessing of his skipper.
“I’m a good mate of Jack’s and have been for a long time,” he said on Sportsday.
“I know he’s got a lot of pull to head down that way (Geelong) at some stage in his life. If that pops up for him while he’s still playing footy then maybe he’ll look at it as an option, and he might do that again this year (request a trade), I’m not sure.
“I just want him to be happy. For me, the priority for him is to be happy and healthy, and if that’s at St Kilda, great, if it’s somewhere else then that’s ok too.
“At the moment, my priority is for him to be happy. Wherever that plays out at the end of the year we’ll wait and see, but it’s not like I’m going to hold it against him for wanting to move to be closer to his family.”
Steven has played just four AFL games in 2019 but is back in the mix for Sunday’s clash with Fremantle after being called onto an extended bench.