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Jack Steven
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Jack Steven (born 28 March 1990) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club and Geelong Cats in the Australian Football League (AFL). During his time at St Kilda, where he played 183 games, Steven won the club's best and fairest award four times. At the peak of his career, from 2015 through 2018, Steven polled double-figure votes in the Brownlow Medal in each season, highlighting his consistency and value to the Saints' midfield.
Key Information
AFL career
[edit]
Originally from the Lorne Football Club, he attended Northfield Grammar. Steven was recruited from the Geelong Falcons with pick 42 in the 2007 AFL draft.[1] Steven kicked the final goal of the 2008 NAB Cup quarter final – a competition which St Kilda went on to win, although Steven did not play in the final.[2]
Steven made his AFL debut in Round 19 of the 2009 AFL season in the Saints' upset win over Hawthorn at York Park in Launceston, Tasmania when the then undefeated Saints were without seven of their best player due to injuries.[3][4] It was his only AFL game for the year, but he played eight more in 2010.
In January 2011, Steven, along with three teammates, was suspended for six weeks and fined after breaking team rules involving alcohol, prescription medicine and leaving the team hotel while on a team camp in New Zealand.[5] In Round 10, 2011, Steven was nominated for the 2011 AFL Rising Star.[6]
During 2013 Steven established himself as one of the AFL's most elite emerging young midfielders. His explosive pace and ferociousness at the contest culminated in a career best season in which he won the 2013 Trevor Barker Award for St Kilda's best and fairest player.[7]
In March 2015, Steven signed a new contract with the Saints, committing to the club until the end of the 2020 season. Steven played in all 22 games for St Kilda in 2015, averaging 27 disposals and kicking 9 goals. He was awarded his second Trevor Barker medal, finishing with 175 votes.
Steven was inducted into St Kilda's leadership group prior to the 2016 AFL season. He won his second successive Trevor Barker Award and third overall.[8]
In February 2019, Steven took an indefinite leave from football to deal with mental health problems.[9] and returned to the club the following month.[10] He featured in four of the club's first six games of the season, but left the club again in May to continue to take care of his mental health,[11] before returning the following month.[12]
At the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season, Steven requested a trade to Geelong. The trade was completed on 16 October, the last day of the trade period.[13] Without having played a game for Geelong, Steven made headlines in May 2020 after suffering what was reported as a "non-life threatening" stabwound to the chest.[14]
Steven announced his retirement in November 2020, despite having one season remaining on his contract.[15]
Statistics
[edit]- Statistics are correct to the end of the 2020 season[16]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2008 | St Kilda | 34 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 2009 | St Kilda | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 14.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0 |
| 2010 | St Kilda | 3 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 50 | 40 | 90 | 21 | 31 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 11.3 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 0 |
| 2011 | St Kilda | 3 | 21 | 13 | 10 | 228 | 183 | 411 | 78 | 84 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 10.9 | 8.7 | 19.6 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3 |
| 2012 | St Kilda | 3 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 250 | 175 | 425 | 78 | 84 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 11.9 | 8.3 | 20.2 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 1 |
| 2013 | St Kilda | 3 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 312 | 279 | 591 | 83 | 87 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 14.2 | 12.7 | 26.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 8 |
| 2014 | St Kilda | 3 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 206 | 187 | 393 | 44 | 79 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 12.1 | 11.0 | 23.1 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 1 |
| 2015 | St Kilda | 3 | 22 | 9 | 15 | 343 | 248 | 591 | 98 | 151 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 15.6 | 11.3 | 26.9 | 4.5 | 6.9 | 12 |
| 2016 | St Kilda | 3 | 22 | 14 | 6 | 310 | 305 | 615 | 62 | 123 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 14.1 | 13.9 | 28.0 | 2.8 | 5.6 | 16 |
| 2017 | St Kilda | 3 | 20 | 6 | 15 | 259 | 267 | 526 | 55 | 93 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 13.0 | 13.4 | 26.3 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 11 |
| 2018 | St Kilda | 3 | 22 | 13 | 7 | 305 | 288 | 593 | 88 | 78 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 13.9 | 13.1 | 27.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 18 |
| 2019 | St Kilda | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 78 | 55 | 84 | 8 | 17 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 13.0 | 8.0 | 19.0 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 3 |
| 2020[a] | Geelong | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 84 | 64 | 148 | 33 | 35 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 9.3 | 7.1 | 16.4 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 0 |
| Career | 192 | 113 | 88 | 2435 | 2095 | 4530 | 664 | 872 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 12.7 | 10.9 | 23.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 73 | ||
Notes
- ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honours and achievements
[edit]Individual
- 4× Trevor Barker Award: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2011
References
[edit]- ^ "Jack Steven Player Profile Bio". Australian Football League. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
- ^ Saints jigsaw almost solved
- ^ The Saints make huge changes
- ^ Unheralded Saints leave Hawks flat
- ^ St Kilda suspends four after New Zealand camp
- ^ Holmesby, Luke (31 May 2011). "Saint Steven". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
- ^ "Brisbane Lions' Joel Patfull, St Kilda's Jack Steven, Adelaide Crow's Rory Sloane clubs' best and fairest". 7 September 2013.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (1 September 2016). "Jack Steven claims his third Trevor Barker Award". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (26 February 2019). "Star Saints mid takes mental health leave from club". afl.com.au. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Cleary, Mitch (10 March 2019). "Star Saint returns to club after taking personal leave". afl.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (2 May 2019). "Star Saint takes extended break due to mental health". afl.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (11 June 2019). "Star Saint returns to club after mental health break". afl.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ @AFL_House (16 October 2019). "Trade paperwork lodged: Geelong Cats..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Clure, Elias. "Geelong footballer Jack Steven recovering in hospital after suffering chest wound". Australia: ABC News. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ King, Tom (19 November 2020). "Steven calls time". K rock Football. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Jack Steven". AFL Tables. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
External links
[edit]- Jack Steven's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Jack Steven's profile on the official website of the St Kilda Football Club
Jack Steven
View on GrokipediaEarly life and junior career
Early life
Jack Steven was born on 28 March 1990 in Lorne, a small coastal town in Victoria, Australia.[1][11] Growing up in Lorne, Steven was immersed in a tight-knit community where outdoor activities were central to daily life, with the town's scenic beaches and rural surroundings fostering an active lifestyle.[12] His family background emphasized community involvement, and early influences from the local football scene shaped his passion for Australian rules football, as Lorne's sporting culture encouraged participation from a young age.[13] Steven's first organized football experiences came through the junior ranks of the Lorne Dolphins Football Club, where he began playing in local leagues, honing his skills amid the supportive environment of his hometown club. He won an under-17 premiership in 2005, performing best afield in the replay, made his senior debut at age 16, and contributed to back-to-back senior premierships in 2006 and 2007, earning best afield honors in the 2007 grand final.[13][6] This foundation in coastal junior football paved the way for his transition to elite underage levels with the Geelong Falcons.[11]Junior career
Steven joined the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup (now Coates Talent League) under-18 competition in 2007, playing as a developing midfielder and half-forward.[14] In 2007, he featured prominently in 15 games for the Falcons, polling votes in 12 matches and earning the club's best and fairest award with 358 votes.[15] His strong form led to selection in the Vic Country under-18 team for the 2007 AFL National Under-18 Championships, where he played all three matches primarily as a half-back.[16] A key performance came in the championships, showcasing his tackling and disposal efficiency in representative play.[6] Steven also attended the AFL Draft Combine, highlighting his potential to scouts. On 24 November 2007, Steven was drafted by St Kilda with pick 42 in the AFL National Draft.[4]Professional career
St Kilda Football Club (2009–2019)
Jack Steven was selected by St Kilda with pick 42 in the 2007 AFL National Draft after playing for the Geelong Falcons, where his ball-winning abilities in junior football laid a foundation for his midfield prowess. He joined the club's senior list ahead of the 2008 season but did not play at AFL level that year, instead developing through the VFL ranks. Steven made his AFL debut in round 19 of the 2009 season against Hawthorn on 1 August at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, recording 12 disposals in a 10-point Saints victory despite the team missing several key players due to injury.[5] That debut marked the start of a gradual integration, as he appeared in just one game in 2009 and eight in 2010.[5] By 2011, Steven had established himself as a regular in the Saints' midfield, playing 21 games and averaging 19.6 disposals, 4 tackles, and 3.3 clearances per match while kicking 13 goals, showcasing his explosive pace and inside-outside versatility.[5] His role expanded further in 2012 with another 21 games, 20.2 disposals on average, 17 goals, and improved clearance work at 3.8 per game, helping anchor the engine room during a transitional period for the club.[5] The 2013 season represented a breakout year, as Steven played all 22 games, averaging 26.9 disposals, 5.4 clearances, and booting 16 goals—including standout performances like three goals and 30 handballs in a win over Gold Coast—earning him his first Trevor Barker Award as St Kilda's best and fairest with a dominant vote tally.[5][17] Steven's form peaked in the mid-2010s amid St Kilda's rebuild, where his speed and creativity became central to the midfield's resurgence. In March 2015, he signed a five-year contract extension committing him to the Saints until the end of the 2020 season, reflecting his growing leadership and loyalty during a challenging era.[18] That year, he won his second Trevor Barker Award with 175 votes, ahead of David Armitage (159) and Sean Dempster (149), after averaging 26.9 disposals, 6.9 tackles, and 4.3 clearances across 22 games and nine goals.[19][5] He claimed his third award in 2016, becoming only the 10th Saint to win it three times, with 16 Brownlow Medal votes for a season of 27.0 disposals, 5.5 clearances, and 14 goals in 22 games, highlighted by consistent pressure acts that supported the team's development.[8][5] In 2017, despite 20 games and strong averages of 26.3 disposals and 5.3 clearances, injuries limited his impact to six goals and 11 Brownlow votes.[5] Steven rounded out his standout tenure in 2018 by securing his fourth Trevor Barker Award—joining Robert Harvey and Bill Cubbins as one of only three Saints with multiple wins—after polling 18 Brownlow votes, averaging 27.0 disposals and 5.5 clearances over 22 games, and kicking 13 goals, including key contributions in wins that built momentum for the rebuild.[20][5] Over his 11 seasons with St Kilda from 2009 to 2019, he played 183 games and kicked 112 goals, evolving from a peripheral player to a cornerstone midfielder whose four best-and-fairest honors underscored his pivotal role in the club's efforts to regain competitiveness, even as finals success eluded the team post-2011.[21][22]Trade to Geelong and 2020 season
On 16 October 2019, Jack Steven was traded from St Kilda to the Geelong Cats in exchange for the Cats' fourth-round selection (pick 58) in the 2019 AFL national draft.[10] The move was driven by Steven's desire for a fresh start following a mid-2019 leave of absence to address mental health challenges, as well as a wish to relocate closer to his hometown of Lorne on Victoria's coast for improved work-life balance.[23] Upon joining Geelong, Steven signed a two-year contract, positioning him as a potential midfield reinforcement amid the club's list adjustments.[3][24] Steven quickly integrated into Geelong's midfield group during the 2019-2020 pre-season, with teammate Tom Atkins describing his transition as "seamless" and noting his positive influence on the playing group through high intensity and running capacity.[25] In February 2020 intra-club match simulations, he impressed with lively ball-winning and endurance, signaling readiness for the upcoming season despite the disruptions from the early COVID-19 shutdown.[26] The 2020 AFL season, shortened to 17 home-and-away matches per team and delayed until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limited Steven's opportunities at Geelong. He played nine games, kicking one goal and averaging 16.4 disposals per match, often contributing in contested situations within the Cats' rotating midfield.[5] Steven made his Geelong debut in round three against Carlton on 20 June, recording six disposals in a 66-point victory, before stringing together consistent outings including 24 disposals and 11 tackles in round 18 against Sydney.[27][28] Notable appearances included a win over Richmond in round six—his only matchup against the eventual premiers—and a goal in round five against the Western Bulldogs, though a delayed start and the league's condensed schedule curtailed his rhythm.[29] Geelong qualified for the finals, finishing fourth on the ladder, but Steven had limited involvement, playing no games in the elimination final win over Brisbane or the semi-final loss to Port Adelaide.[2]Incidents during career
In early 2019, Jack Steven took indefinite leave from St Kilda to address personal mental health challenges, with the club announcing the decision on 26 February.[30] He returned to training in March and resumed playing, but faced ongoing issues, leading to another extended break announced on 2 May.[31] This absence lasted approximately a month, during which Steven focused on his wellbeing before rejoining full training in mid-June.[32] St Kilda provided comprehensive support throughout, including access to counseling services to aid his recovery.[21] These mental health breaks significantly disrupted Steven's 2019 season, limiting him to just seven AFL games for St Kilda amid the intermittent absences.[5] The challenges contributed to broader career pressures, influencing his subsequent trade to Geelong as a means to seek a supportive environment closer to home.[10] In May 2020, shortly after joining Geelong, Steven was involved in a violent off-field incident when he was stabbed multiple times outside a nightclub in Geelong on 16 May following an altercation.[33] The injuries, including wounds to his chest inflicted by a sharp object, were non-life-threatening but required surgery at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.[34] He was discharged after a few days and, following a period of rehabilitation, made a full recovery, returning to play in round 3 of the 2020 season on 20 June.[35] Police investigated the assault but cleared Steven of any wrongdoing, closing the matter without charges.[34] These events, spanning mental health leaves and the physical assault, marked turbulent periods that tested Steven's resilience and shaped key decisions in his later career trajectory.[36]Retirement and post-football life
Retirement announcement
On 18 November 2020, Geelong Cats announced that midfielder Jack Steven had retired from the Australian Football League (AFL), despite having one year remaining on his contract for the 2021 season.[37][11] The 30-year-old, who had joined the club from St Kilda ahead of the 2020 season, made the decision after playing just nine games for Geelong, limited by soft-tissue injuries.[37][38] Steven cited the cumulative impact of ongoing injuries and mental health challenges—stemming from indefinite leaves taken during the 2019 preseason and season—as key factors in his retirement, alongside a personal desire to begin a new chapter after 12 seasons in the league.[2][39] These issues, including prior mental health breaks, had significantly disrupted his playing time in recent years.[2] At retirement, his career totals stood at 192 games and 113 goals across both clubs, with 183 games and 112 goals amassed during 11 seasons at St Kilda.[11][39] The Geelong Cats issued tributes emphasizing Steven's leadership qualities and resilience in overcoming adversity. General manager of football Simon Lloyd stated, "We are happy for Jack that he has made this decision and wish him well in his future," adding, "Jack had an outstanding career and we enjoyed having him play with us this year."[11][38] The club highlighted his positive influence within the team during a challenging season, praising his determination and contributions as a veteran presence.[2]Post-retirement activities
Following his retirement from the Australian Football League (AFL) in November 2020, Jack Steven returned to community-level football by joining his hometown club, the Lorne Football Club, in the Colac & District Football Netball League for the 2021 season.[40] In recognition of his contributions to the club, St Kilda organized a career commemoration for Steven ahead of their Round 9 match against Geelong on 14 May 2021 at Marvel Stadium, including a lap of honour and address to fans.[41] Steven made another notable public appearance on 21 March 2024 during St Kilda's Spud's Game against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he joined AFL ambassadors in a pre-match ceremony to promote mental health awareness.[42] In June 2024, Steven faced legal charges after allegedly being involved in a single-vehicle crash near Lorne, Victoria, and leaving the scene without reporting it to police. He was charged with failing to answer a police officer's question and driving an unregistered vehicle, and was scheduled to appear in the Geelong Magistrates' Court. As of November 2025, no further public updates on the case have been reported.[43][44] Post-2021, Steven has largely withdrawn from the public eye, settling in Lorne, Victoria, to prioritize personal recovery and family, with no reported returns to competitive football or professional engagements as of November 2025.[42]Playing statistics and honours
Career statistics
Jack Steven's AFL career spanned from 2009 to 2020, during which he accumulated key performance metrics across 192 games. The following table summarizes his season-by-season statistics, focusing on games played, goals kicked, total disposals, marks, tackles, and clearances, sourced from official match records.[5]| Year | Team | Games | Goals | Disposals | Marks | Tackles | Clearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | St Kilda | 1 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2010 | St Kilda | 8 | 10 | 90 | 21 | 31 | 4 |
| 2011 | St Kilda | 21 | 13 | 411 | 78 | 84 | 70 |
| 2012 | St Kilda | 21 | 17 | 425 | 78 | 84 | 80 |
| 2013 | St Kilda | 22 | 16 | 591 | 83 | 87 | 118 |
| 2014 | St Kilda | 17 | 8 | 393 | 44 | 79 | 78 |
| 2015 | St Kilda | 22 | 9 | 591 | 98 | 151 | 95 |
| 2016 | St Kilda | 22 | 14 | 615 | 62 | 123 | 121 |
| 2017 | St Kilda | 20 | 6 | 526 | 55 | 93 | 105 |
| 2018 | St Kilda | 22 | 13 | 593 | 88 | 78 | 121 |
| 2019 | St Kilda | 7 | 5 | 133 | 19 | 23 | 24 |
| 2020 | Geelong | 9 | 1 | 147 | 33 | 34 | 24 |
