JACK Steele’s first season in the red and blue brought a new environment, new teammates and a return to finals footy.

The midfielder played in all of Melbourne’s games in 2026 as Melbourne recorded 15 wins and reached the Wildcard Round. While the season ended with a loss to Carlton, Steele said he had enjoyed his first year at the club.

“Personally, I’ve loved my first year in the red and the blue,” Steele said.

“It’s been a crazy 12 months, but to have played 24 games for the club and to have made the Wildcard Round was positive. We had 15 wins for the year, which I think is the most I’ve ever won in a season.

The move to Melbourne also helped Steele rediscover his enjoyment of the game, as he built new relationships across the club.

“I’ve found the love for the game once again,” he said. “To have made so many new relationships here at the club with players and staff has been so much fun.

“It’s been a change I didn’t really know I needed. I think it’s the start of something special.”

Steele credited the group’s willingness to learn together, alongside coach Steven King and captain Max Gawn, as a key part of Melbourne’s progress.

“Steven King has been so positive throughout the whole course of the year, allowing us all to go out there and express ourselves with a new game plan,” he said.

“It’s clearly shown that it works, too. I think that’ll give myself and the rest of the group so much belief in what we’re really capable of for the years to come.”

Steele said he had enjoyed working alongside Melbourne’s midfielders and hoped to keep supporting the club’s younger players as they developed.

“I’ve loved being able to work with the names you mentioned. Gawn’s an incredible captain and ruckman for this club, but then also the younger players I’ve had the privilege of working with,” he said.

“It’s been so much fun building relationships with them and seeing their growth and development. Hopefully, as the years go on, I can continue to play my part in being a mentor for those players, too.”

The 30-year-old said a clearer role in the midfield helped him play with greater instinct.

“I felt like the game was very simple for me this year,” Steele said. “I could just be a midfielder, go and chase the ball and not think too much. Just let my game be instinctual.”

Steele believes Melbourne has room to improve after a season that included both strong performances and difficult patches.

“As this group becomes more experienced playing together, those lows are probably going to be a bit higher and we’re probably not going to have as much inconsistency,” he said.

“What we saw in most cases in the 15 wins was some pretty fun and exciting football that I think, as players, we love playing, and our fans love seeing.

“The foundations are there, but it’s now up to us to take the next steps.”