Jack Macrae reflects on 2024 trade to St Kilda and the ‘fire in the belly’ over returning to the midfield

Jack Macrae has spoken for the first time as a Saint, declaring he wants to return to the “peak” of his powers as an inside mid and revealing how he feels about the Dogs’ midfield moving past him.

New St Kilda recruit Jack Macrae says he wants to return to “the peak of my powers” in an inside midfield role at Moorabbin, adamant he is not a spent force at AFL level.

Macrae, 30, said there was no bad blood between him and Western Bulldogs despite finding it “really difficult” at times being dumped to the VFL and regularly made sub in 2024.

In his first interview since the trade for pick No. 45, Macrae said he was at peace with the Dogs’ decision to opt for “more speed and a different dynamic” in the midfield this year instead of throwing “the toys out of the cot”.

But the experience hasn’t shaken Macrae’s faith in his own ability, with the three-time All-Australian targeting an impactful return to the centre square at his new club.

“I know it would have been easier to cruise around at the Dogs and stay for the last few years, and there are no ill feelings there at all,” Macrae said.

“But there is definitely the fire in the belly and determination to get the absolute most out of the rest of my career.

Jack Macrae in his new colours after being traded to St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

“So, it wasn’t the easiest decision – to leave the club – but it was definitely the right one because I want to get back to the absolute peak of my powers of my football ability.

“I still feel like I have a lot to offer in that sense.”

Macrae said he had several conversations with new coach Ross Lyon post-season and was certain the club’s direction and game plan was “an exciting fit” for him.

In particular, the popular team member said he looked forward to teaching the next wave of Saints’ playmakers the tricks of the midfield trade.

“Just where they are at with their list, it’s obviously a young and exciting group,” he said.

“So they probably had a need for what I can bring with my strengths around the midfield side of things.

“The way the game is going it is such a strong transition-based game, it is contest-to-contest running.

“But also hopefully I can be a bit of a mentor with some of my experiences.

“I have played with some great players in a really strong midfield so I hope that can help grow others in that area.

“Their midfield really spiked late in the year so hopefully I can add to that. I feel like I have some really strong football still to play.”

Jack Macrae finished his Bulldogs career on 249 games. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Macrae, who helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2016 premiership in only his fourth season, will help replace Seb Ross and potentially Brad Crouch as he deals with a degenerative knee issue.

The running machine was eager to begin training next month after avoiding surgery every season across his 12 years at the top level.

And Macrae will play his 250th game in Round 1 after gathering seven touches as substitute in his last game for the Dogs in the elimination final thrashing from Hawthorn.

Regardless, Macrae said he will be forever grateful for his time at the Dogs, and was eager to maintain the right attitude when things got tough this year.

“It was hard, but the Bulldogs have got a strong midfield and then there was (Ryley) Sanders, Ed Richards coming through and (Harvey) Gallagher, a few players who offer a different dynamic to me,” he said.

“So it was nothing personal. The conversations I had with ‘Bevo’ were always upfront and honest.

“When I went to the VFL a few times it was important to me to have a strong mindset and be a really good leader because it can be easier to throw the toys out of the cot.

“I really wanted to show I could get on with it and be a real pro in those areas and I feel like I did that.”