Jack Steven Biography

Jack Steven retires from AFL football despite having a year to run on his contract. He ends his career after 192 matches, including 183 at St Kilda where he won four best and fairests.

Jack Steven's playing future is up in the air with a year remaining on his contract.

Contracted for 2021, Steven was plagued with soft tissue setbacks limiting him to nine AFL matches in 2020 after crossing over from St Kilda.

A Victoria Police investigation into the stabbing of Geelong's Jack Steven remains ongoing. However, the midfielder has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL.

"The inquiry into Geelong Cats player Jack Steven suffering an injury to his chest in May has been completed and the matter is now closed," an AFL statement said.

"The AFL Integrity Department is satisfied with Steven's explanation and has determined there was no breach of AFL Rules."

Jack Steven is still recovering from a stab wound in hospital as the Cats prioritise his wellbeing.

"Where he received the injury was under the right thoracic in his chest. Jack's very lucky, as we speak. He's recovering, he doesn't require any further operation and he doesn't need any exploratory surgery. That's a real positive in what is not a great circumstance," Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd said.

Jack Steven is hospitalized after an incident on Saturday night where he is rumoured to have suffered a stab wound. Police are investigating the circumstances.

Following his mental health struggles in 2019, Jack Steven has vowed to get fit and healthy after being traded to the Cats by the Saints.

Steven's parents and his wider family live near Geelong and that prompted his wish for a move to the Cats.

"I will just be nice and comfortable ... get fit again, get happy, get healthy, that's just what I'm aiming to do," he said.

Steven said there were a few nervous moments during the trade negotiations and he also stressed his gratitude to St Kilda.

"It was touch and go maybe for a little bit, but it worked out pretty well. I was still contracted at St Kilda, so I understood there was still a process there," he said.

"If it didn't happen, it didn't happen. Obviously, the Saints are a great club as well and it wasn't all doom and gloom, but I was really happy to come down to the Cats.

"I owe a lot to them. I'm really thankful and I still love the club, but super-stoked to be down here."

St Kilda trades four-time club champion Jack Steven to Geelong for pick No.58.

Former St Kilda coach Alan Richardson believes Jack Steven will again seek a trade to Geelong at the end of the 2019 season.

"It's been well-documented (that it's) been a tough year for Jack … Jack just needs to make sure he gets himself right, and my understanding is he's tracking the right way," Richardson told SEN radio.

"He's just a terrific person, has a great family and he loves Lorne (near Geelong). There's always been, the last couple of years, a pull down there (for him).

"The Saints will certainly want something for him – he's been an outstanding player."

St Kilda doesn't know whether four-time best and fairest Jack Steven will stay at the club in 2020 as Geelong prepares a bid to lure the star onballer down the highway.

"Whatever's best for Jack, if he's happy, that's the main thing," Saints caretaker coach Brett Ratten said.

"And I know Richo (former coach Alan Richardson), as well, wanted him to be happy and in a good space, so that's our main aim as a footy club."

Geelong will launch another bid to acquire four-time St Kilda best and fairest winner Jack Steven.

Steven is currently pushing toward a return to the St Kilda senior team after being given time away from the club for mental health reasons.

The pull of a life in the Geelong region – his family has Lorne roots – is known to be part of his considerations for football and life options beyond 2019.

Jack Steven will return from a mental health break via the VFL this week.

Steven has played just four games in 2019, the most recent being back in round six.

"It's really pleasing to have Jack back playing after a number of weeks of training with the group," St Kilda football boss Simon Lethlean said.

"He's a much-loved player at our club, and it's an important step in the right direction."

Alan Richardson says he is optimistic Jack Steven could return to the side at some stage in 2019 after dealing with mental issues.

"His training the past few weeks is the training of a fella that's loving his footy again, really enjoying being around his teammates and really enjoying being at the footy club," Richardson said.

"I've become optimistic that we are a chance to see Jack. Hopefully it's soon. It might not be, but we'll just have to wait and see."

Jack Steven returns to the Saints for a training session after having taken an indefinite break from the club to deal with a mental health battle.

Jack Steven will be out indefinitely as he continues to battles mental health and wellbeing issues.

"The club and Jack have been working on managing his health and wellbeing over many months," Saints football manager Simon Lethlean said.

"The best option at present for Jack to fully overcome his challenges is to take an extended break away from football."

Jack Steven wants to play in round one and has medical approval after his mental health battle, needing only to prove his fitness to be named for the season opener.

"Jacko's in a really good space, which is brilliant," St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.

"He's going well. He's still got a couple of boxes he needs to tick. He needs to train strongly and make sure that he pulls up well."

Jack Steven returns to the Saints after taking personal leave from the club in late February.

Jack Steven takes an indefinite break from AFL football as he battles a mental health issue.

"Jack will use this time to take a break from the daily routine of training and concentrate on his health," Saints football manager Simon Lethlean said.

"I know he is desperate to get back to training and preparing for the season as quickly as possible, but the most important thing is making sure he is in the right headspace to do so."

Jarryn Geary will captain the Saints for a third straight season in 2019 with Seb Ross serving as vice-captain.

Former Swan Dan Hannebery has been included in the club's leadership group, while Jack Steven and wingman Jack Newnes have been left out.

Jack Steven admits he posed some tough questions about his club, St Kilda, during his exit interview.

"It was because of our progression. The last three years, it's been so exciting each year. And then this year's been definitely a dip," Steven said.

"You just ask why. It'd be weird not to. If you walked into that meeting happy, it'd just be like, what are you doing? I want to win games, I want to win premierships.

"I'm pretty low-key and pretty reserved, so if I've spoken up a little bit, it was probably a little bit out of character."

Jack Steven wins his fourth Trevor Barker Award as St Kilda's best and fairest for 2018.

Steven joins Robert Harvey and Bill Cubbins with four Saints best and fairests, and trails only champion forward Nick Riewoldt who has six.

"Jack really led the way in the first half of this season. While we were inconsistent as a team, Jack continued to deliver week-in, week-out," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

"It's testament to the type of player and leader he is. Jack sets a great example for our young group and is incredibly important for what we're trying to build at our footy club."

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has shut down speculation that star midfielder Jack Steven could be on the move to Geelong.

Reports had emerged that the Cats had launched a daring recruiting raid to snare Steven, who's contracted for another two years.

"We're really comfortable that Jack's not only staying with us but a really important part of driving what we're doing," Richardson said on Fox Footy.

Cats coach Chris Scott also denied his club was attempting to add poach Steven.

"I think it's very misleading to say that we're making a play for Jack Steven ... that's not true," Scott said.

"If there's some validity to (reports) of that question being asked (about Steven) I'm assuming it was answered pretty quickly (no) and that's that."

Jarryn Geary will skipper St Kilda for a second season, but the veteran defender feels 2018 will be the true changing of the guard after the Nick Riewoldt era.

The 29-year-old will head a leadership group that has shrunk from eight last year to five in 2018 and includes Seb Ross, Jack Steven, Dylan Roberton and Jack Newnes.

"There's no doubt Nick was a leader of the club for a long time, and probably stood out in games when he was still probably the main man," Geary said.

"I guess (his retirement) will probably help me.

"I tried not to compete with him, he still led in his own way so it was a conscious effort not to compete with him.

"I won't have to do that this year.

"I think the five us will be the voice of the club. Nick obviously did that for a long time, but it's our turn to take over."

Jack Steven will remain in a hospital in Perth for at least another night after suffering a punctured lung against West Coast during the Saints' 19-point loss to West Coast.

Steven received the injury late in the final quarter via an innocuous-looking bump along the boundary line.

He continued playing but was in obvious discomfort during the closing stages of the match, often hunching over to catch his breath.

Jarryn Geary will be the St Kilda's new captain for 2017.

Geary takes over the role from Nick Riewoldt, who was skipper for 220 games. That tally ranks Riewoldt third on the all-time list for most VFL/AFL games captained, behind Carlton's Stephen Kernahan (226) and Essendon's Dick Reynolds (224).

Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Sam Gilbert took themselves out of contention for the leadership group, and thus the captaincy. Those players, known as the 'four elders', make up the Saints' over-30 contingent.

"Before that vote, Montagna, Riewoldt, Gilbert and Dempster got up and said 'Don't vote for us, we're out. Time for you blokes to drive it. We think you're ready'," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

Midfielder Seb Ross, Dylan Roberton and Josh Bruce are St Kilda's newest official leaders. They join Geary, Jack Steven, David Armitage, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller.

"If we had six players who got lots of votes and then there was a gap, we'd have six (in the leadership group). As it turned out, we had eight, because those guys were voted in really strongly," Richardson said.

Jack Steven has won St Kilda's best and fairest for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career.

The midfielder spent most of the count in front after a stellar season and notched up 172 votes, and finished in front of defender Jarryn Geary (157) and skipper Nick Riewoldt (153).

Jack Steven is officially asked to become a leader at St Kilda despite not initially being voted in by his teammates.

Captain Nick Riewoldt said Steven needed to assume that responsibility.

"The really encouraging part about … the conversations with Jack was he wanted to know why was it important for him to come into the group," Riewoldt said.

"I think he understands the influence he has over the rest of the playing group."

Jack Steven says learning to deal with added pressure from the opposition has made him a better player in 2015.

"People knew who I was this year so I've had a lot more attention and I've been better," Steven said.

"I might have caught teams off guard back in 2013 and I think this year I've dealt with more attention from teams and still been able to perform.

"I think that's what made this year a little bit better."

A return to his consistent and damaging form of 2013 has seen St Kilda's Jack Steven win his second club best and fairest.

Steven, 25, claimed the Trevor Barker Award on Monday night at Crown Palladium from midfield teammate David Armitage and super consistent veteran defender Sean Dempster.

Jack Steven says his development is driven by his natural drive to succeed.

"I've always wanted to be the best at what I do," Steven said.

"I just get addicted to things really easily and I have to keep doing it until I've nailed it.

"That's how I do everything. I'm just extra competitive."

Jack Steven turns his back on free agency to sign a five-year contract extension with St Kilda.

"This effectively makes me a Saint for life, which I am thrilled about," Steven said.

"There was some interest from other teams but I never entertained the thought of leaving the Saints.

"I've got some close friends here and there is a great vibe around the place with some positive things happening and this is the club I want to represent for my entire career."

St Kilda remains confident Jack Steven will play out the season despite the midfielder still suffering from an unusual stress reaction in his thigh.

"We haven't absolutely nailed what will be the best remedy for him but we'll have the opportunity when the season's over to give him a really long break and perhaps send him to [get] second opinions," St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.

"At this stage, we're really comfortable and confident he'll get through the remainder of the season without any further damage to it.

"It's something he's had for a while and to be honest, at this stage, the treatment has been rest."

Jack Steven could be sidelined for up to four weeks with a thigh injury.

"Jack has experienced some leg soreness in recent weeks which our medical team feels is best treated through rest and rehabilitation," St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"While the injury provides him with some frustration to an already interrupted season, we are confident that he will return to the AFL team before the end of 2014."

Jack Steven will become a better player quicker as a result of the attention he is receiving as St Kilda's prime midfielder, according to coach Alan Richardson.

"For all the reasons we want him to have the ball, that's why the opposition is going to him," Richardson said.

"One thing that's been so impressive for a young bloke is he's sacrificed his role for the team so if they're going to tag him, we'll manipulate a situation where perhaps Jack goes to someone else and we get someone free.

"He's bought into that. He's a really committed young footballer, he wants to get the best out of himself, he wants the team to be successful and he trains as hard as anyone.

"He's a beauty and he'll be better for it."

Jack Steven could face a spell on the sidelines as he struggles to regain fitness after his pre-season foot fracture.

The explosive midfielder was kept to 15 disposals in the Saints' 32-point loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Monday night, in his fifth game back from the injury.

"He's in that situation now where we need to sit down and have a chat about where he's at," St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.

"If we can get some more work into him then I think we'll keep going. If it is that we think not, perhaps he needs to have a break. We'll assess that throughout the week."

A foot fracture from a training incident will keep St Kilda best-and-fairest winner Jack Steven out for 8-10 weeks.

"Scans conducted late this afternoon revealed a fracture in his right foot which is obviously disappointing for both Jack and the club on the eve of the 2014 season," St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"It's important to note that the fracture is not stress related and followed an innocuous incident during training."

St Kilda believe club champion Jack Steven will be able to cope with being tagged on a regular basis in 2014.

"We expect him to get a lot more attention, but he's certainly well equipped to be able to handle that," Saints midfield and stoppage coach Adam Kingsley said.

"He just needs to come up with a couple of different strategies and if one of them isn't working he's got to go to the next one.

"He started to get the No.1 tag at the back end of last year and people started going to him rather than Nick Dal Santo, which is a great credit to him."

Jack Steven takes out his first Trevor Barker Award as St Kilda's Best and Fairest player.

Steven was the clear winner after a standout season, polling 152 votes to finish well ahead of Saints' veterans Nick Riewoldt (115) and Leigh Montagna (113).

In a season which has earned him an All-Australian nomination, the 23-year-old averaged 26.9 disposals and was in the league's top 10 in clearances, handballs and disposals.

"I love to play for the Saints and I love all the boys I play with. I'm not much for standing up here, but I want to keep playing for the Saints," he said in his acceptance speech.

St Kilda players release a video, apologising to club members for Clint Jones' Mad Monday prank earlier this week when he set fire to a dwarf.

Captain Nick Riewoldt, vice-captain Lenny Hayes and young star Jack Steven spoke on the short video, which was shot outside the Saints' Seaford headquarters.

"On behalf of the players, I want to say sorry for the disappointment and embarrassment our end-of-season actions have caused all St Kilda people," Riewoldt said in the short video message.

Hayes added: "It's not the St Kilda you want, it's not the St Kilda we want.

"Our commitment is it's going to look different."

Then Steven finished with: "Stay with us - we going to make you proud to be a member of the Saints."

James Podsiadly will miss a week after accepting a one-match ban for striking St Kilda's Jack Steven.

Jack Steven signs a new deal with the Saints that will keep him at the club until the end of 2015.

"Jack is a key component of our midfield this year," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"At 22 years of age he has completed his apprenticeship and is ready for greater responsibility and challenges. "This pre-season his growing maturity and professionalism has been a standout."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says the club will put an educational program around Jack Steven in light of his recent drink driving indiscretion.

"It's been a tough week for him, but you've got to be accountable for your actions and he will be. He'll move forward from this," Waters said.

"Jack made a poor choice, [but] at the same time we have a responsibility to put an educational program around Jack and make sure that the next five, six, seven, eight years of his career are really solid."

St Kilda has suspended Jack Steven for a week after the midfielder was caught drink-driving.

"Jack has apologised for his mistake and acknowledges the broader responsibility that comes with being an AFL footballerk," Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said.

He may not be a new kid on the block, but St Kilda's Jack Steven is the club's most exciting young talent.

"I've been working pretty closely with Leigh Montagna, Adam Schneider, Lenny Hayes and Nick Dal Santo. They all have their own little tricks you can try to put in your bag to develop you," Steven said.

Emerging Saint Jack Steven can't wait to get his first taste of September action.

"This is my first one. I'm thrilled, can't wait," Steven said.

"It's been a very strong side for a few years now. I'm happy to be in the ones and I'm loving it."

St Kilda suspends Zac Dawson, Rhys Stanley, Jack Steven and Paul Cahill over an incident involving alcohol and sleeping pills during a pre-season training camp in New Zealand.

Saints CEO Michael Nettlefold says the issues at the Saints are symptomic of those seen in general society.

"We are a mirror of the broader society. We don't have all the answers, all we can do it rethink how we approach these issues," Nettlefold told SEN radio.

"The AFL has some outstanding programs in use for respect and responsibility and drug issues. It's come out of left field for us and we haven't put our head in the sand about it."

While St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has used only 26 players this season, he is mindful not to overlook a group, including Matt Maguire, Sean Dempster and Robert Eddy, delivering consistent form each week with VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"There's not only Matt waiting for opportunities, I've got Armitage and Jack Steven and Raph Clarke in the seconds. So there's a number of players in the same position, Colm Begley another, who are fighting for a spot in the seniors," Lyon said yesterday.

"And I'm on record that, while players keep delivering, I'm not just going to make changes for the sake of it."