Sturt wingman Steven Slimming shines with Double Blues in SANFL
Sturt wingman Steven Slimming’s courage and commitment to the Double Blues has been on show this season as he further develops his game.
THERE was a game early in the season at Unley Oval when Sturt wingman Steven Slimming raced back with the flight of the ball totally oblivious to any danger to his health.
He took the heavy body contact and the mark.
It wasn’t a moment highlighted among the high flying marks, but it was an action which reflected Slimming’s committed attitude.
Slimming grabbed a similar mark in the qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide two weeks back.
Again, there was no fear, just more evidence of his courage and team-first motives. What makes his efforts more remarkable is the fact he is just 19 and weighs 73kg. And even then, he must have been wearing heavy boots and just finished a smorgasbord meal when he stood on the scales.
“I’ve always played that way,” Slimming said.
“When you are in a team environment as good as Sturt’s you expect all your mates to put their body on the line.
“Just because I’m a bit smaller than others does not excuse me. It just shows how much I love the game and want to be out there, it’s been the same all through my career.
“Dad used to tell me I was more likely to get injured of I was only half sure of what I do, instead of being committed to it. I know the blokes out there will protect me the best they can.”
On the eve of the preliminary final clash against Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, Slimming’s thought process is a contrast to this time last year when the national draft consumed his thinking.
He was touted as a strong chance to enter the AFL system and there was the feeling of pressure to perform, as well as being concerned with the thoughts of those judging his performance.
While there was the obvious disappointment of being overlooked, Slimming immediately adopted a positive approach and accepted it as an opportunity to have a full season with the Double Blues and hopefully grow his game without the pressure of a looming draft.
“I did not have to worry about what the recruiters were thinking and could just play footy to the best of my ability,” Slimming said. “You try to not think about it (draft) and not worry about what people are thinking about your game.
“But it definitely comes into your mind, especially in the back half of the year. You are in the state program and the whole part of that is to get under 18 year olds drafted.
“So you are definitely thinking about it, even when you try and ignore it as much as much as you can it is still prevalent.”
He also had recruiters talk to him on aspects of his game needing improvement, making life just that more difficult. However, he said this year had been beneficial having only Double Blues coach Marty Mattner to listen to and feed off.
The two aspects of his game needing work were his kicking and decision making.
“Marty and I would do drills before training and in pre-season to help with my decision making and kicking,” Slimming said. “He is so good with his feedback, especially with us younger guys and he has helped take my footy to a more consistent and better level.
“I’ve loved this year, everyone at the club gets around each other and is supportive. This has probably been my favourite year of footy in my life.”
Slimming still dreams of an AFL career. At the moment though he is enjoying life in the Double Blues jumper, and standing on the wing and watching an elite midfield containing James Battersby, Zane Kirkwood, Aidan Riley and Patrick Wilson do their stuff.