Plus he feels they're a team on the rise, following a similar trajectory to the Giants.

Steele met with Giants coach Leon Cameron on Saturday morning to let him know he was asking for a trade to the Saints – after two seasons with the expansion club – for what's believed to be a three-year deal.

It's believed a second-round pick would get the deal done.

The 20-year-old has played 17 games for the Giants since he was drafted with pick 24 two years ago.

Steele said it was a tough decision and he didn't want to leave the place he's called home since joining the AFL ranks at the end of 2014.

But he felt with the plethora of riches in the Giants midfield he would struggle to establish himself over the next few years.

Giants co-captain Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio​ and Tom Scully have formed the core of the engine room of the team that made this season's preliminary final.

Steele had lunch with his co-captain and fellow Canberran Phil Davis to let his teammates know of his decision.

He already knows a few of the Saints players, including fellow Canberran Josh Bruce – who has established himself as a crucial cog in their young forward line.

He described St Kilda coach Alan Richardson as a "ripper" and a very similar character to Giants coach Leon Cameron.

Steele is still recovering from foot surgery to help repair a fracture in his metatarsal.

"At the end of the day I just want to be playing footy, I just want to be playing AFL footy. I think I'm a good chance to play there," he told Fairfax Media.

"They've already got a good list there and a good midfield so hopefully I can add to that.

"Everyone says that the Giants are heading somewhere, and they are, they're a good team, but it doesn't seem like I'm a part of their plans.

"I still have a chance of success at the Saints as well so I'm going to try and head there and do my bit.

"It was a really hard decision to make. I was happy at the Giants and wanted to stay. You only have 10 years for your career so you've got to make the most of it while you can."

St Kilda wasn't the only club interested in luring Steele away from the Giants, with other Victorian and interstate clubs chasing his signature.

Steele's manager, Dave Trotter, said it was a credit to the GWS how hard the decision had been for his client.

He was confident the two clubs would come to an agreement fairly easily.

While Trotter wasn't sure what would be required to get the deal done, he felt a draft pick similar to the No.24 Steele originally went for in 2014 was around the mark.

"That's his preference to go to St Kilda, but a deal's got to be struck. From my conversations with both GWS and the Saints I think they'll come to an agreement pretty easily," Trotter said.

"I think the Giants understand that they've got a talented young list and players are going to want opportunities at some stage.

"They've got academy players they need some points for, they've got a couple of things they probably want to do.

"Having dealt with [Giants list manager] Craig Cameron and [Saints chief operating officer] Ameet Bains, who will be brokering the deal, both really good operators and experienced, I don't think it should be too much trouble."

The Saints were excited about adding Steele to a young onball brigade, which includes the emerging Jack Steven.

"Jack has indicated he wants to join St Kilda and we believe he would be a great addition to our list," Bains said in a statement.

"The club will now work closely with both Greater Western Sydney and Jack's management to ensure we can come to a suitable trade arrangement."

Who do you think was Canberra's best-performed sportsperson of 2016? Vote now for your people's sporting champion for the inaugural CBR Sport Awards. Entries close Friday.