Herald Sun Footy Podcast: Lauren Wood, Michael Warner, Scott Gullan and Jon Anderson debate the biggest footy issues

Jack Steven looked a long way from a four-time best-and-fairest winner in his Geelong debut, recording just one disposal in the second half. Did the Cats take Carlton too lightly by picking the underdone recruit?

Jack Steven in his first game for Geelong.

Geelong has been left red-faced by its “inept” decision to play star recruit Jack Steven against Carlton.

That’s the view of veteran journalist Jon Anderson, who questioned whether the Cats thought they could ease the former Saint into the action against a lowly-placed opponent.

Steven, who was the victim of a stabbing attack last month, was a late inclusion in the team to face the Blues on Saturday night. The four-time St Kilda best-and-fairest winner had just six disposals, including one in the second half.

Anderson said on the latest episode of the Herald Sun Footy Podcast that he couldn’t comment on Stevens’ mental preparation, but it was clear that physically “he was just so far removed from where he needed to be.”

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“Would they have played him if they were playing Collingwood? Would they have played him if they were playing Port Adelaide in its current form? Or did they play him thinking maybe they could get away with it against a Carlton side they were going to beat.

“They would deny that strongly, but I couldn’t believe that selection.

“He will play good footy for Geelong but that’s not the point, he couldn’t play it in the condition he was in the other night.”

Also on a huge podcast episode, hosts Lauren Wood, Michael Warner and Scott Gullan discuss how the AFL’s first positive COVID-19 test will impact the season, the case for playing the Grand Final away from the MCG, what’s gone wrong at Richmond and what happened at Luke Beveridge’s strange post-match press conference.

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Originally published as Herald Sun Footy Podcast: Lauren Wood, Michael Warner, Scott Gullan and Jon Anderson debate the biggest footy issues