Jack Steele admits he was well off the pace in the first half of his comeback game, but says the way he battled through holds him in good stead going forward.
The St Kilda captain went under the knife after breaking his collarbone in Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs but pulled off a quick return to feature in his side’s Round 6 win over the Blues.
In the eventual 22-point triumph, Steele had just seven disposals at half-time.
But a run-with role on influential Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps after the main break undoubtedly helped St Kilda to a six-goal to two second half.
“It really took me by surprise that first half, I was off the pace and I couldn’t really find the ball,” Steele said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“Ross (Lyon) asked me to go to (Patrick) Cripps in the second half, just to try and get me in the game but also slow his impact on the game down, which I feel like I was able to do, we were able to get on top a little bit inside and sort of run the Blues off their legs and come away with the win.
“It definitely was tough the first half of footy back, but I was able to play the game out which gives me confidence heading into this week.”
He finished with 19 touches and five tackles.
The 27-year-old got through the clash without pain medication, but didn’t rule out having the metal holding his collarbone together taken out in post-season surgery.
Steele also credits coach Ross Lyon and a greater fitness base for his ability to push through the hardship of Sunday’s clash.
He revealed that Lyon – a notoriously hard-edged mentor – told him and fellow midfielder Seb Ross to lose weight and get in line with the club’s desired running capacity when he arrived at the club.
“I suppose he didn’t know a lot about me when he first came into the club. I know for me and Seb Ross, we weren’t heavy coming back from the off-season, but we were sitting at about 90 kilos, that’s what we played at last year,” he added.
“The first thing he said to us was we want to be a running team and we need you to be a little bit lighter.
“So Seb and I got to work with losing a little bit of weight and we've been able to hold that off and it's obviously contributed to the way we’re playing this year and our running capacity through the midfield.
“That’s just one example and I suppose the rest of the leaders would have their own, but he’s just so demanding and a bloke you don’t really want to let down.
“I’m glad he’s had that impact on the leaders and the rest of the group as well.”
Lyon’s Saints are flying at 5-1 but face another test this weekend when hosting Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.