Nick Stevens selected by Geelong with pick No.47

Nick Stevens has not come through the Geelong Falcons, but you could consider him a local after he completed his school studies at Geelong Grammar.

Nick Stevens at an AFL testing session. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong is famous for drafting local players.

And while Nick Stevens has not come through the Geelong Falcons, he won’t be a stranger when he steps out for pre-season.

The Greater Western Victoria Rebels graduate spent time at the club last year as part of the AIS-AFL Academy program and was one of three Geelong Grammar students to be drafted on Wednesday night.

Stevens said he believed Geelong was his best chance to be selected but had to wait until pick No.47 for this name to be read out.

Nick Stevens takes a mark. Picture: Dylan Burns

“It was about 10.45pm, which is a bit late,” Stevens said.

“I’d been on the tools during the day so I was absolutely knackered.

“I managed to keep the eyes open for it.”

Stevens said he thought Geelong’s final pick in the draft might have been his last opportunity to be selected.

“You try not to lose belief but your head takes it that way,” he said.

“You think of the worst outcome. That’s where my head was going but when Geelong had that last pick, I thought this might be my last chance.

“I thought that might have been my last chance to get onto an AFL list.”

Football runs in Stevens’ family on both sides.

His mum was cousins with St Kilda champion Danny Frawley and Saints defender James Frawley is a distant relative

Stevens’ father, Matt, was also on Fitzroy’s list and was a club great with East Ballarat, where he played in the club’s golden era in the early 1990s before it merged with Golden Point.

He also played in Springbank’s 2000 and 2001 Central Highlands league flags.

“He was not a bad player. A big full back … from what he says,” Stevens said.

Stevens said his ability to run and carry off half-back was his best asset.

“I think just being able to take the game on,” he said.

“Being able to break the lines from the half-back flank and also play that defensive side as well.”

Stevens’ selection means Geelong’s list is at capacity for 2021 after it contemplated leaving a spot available.

“He was a player we were hoping might have slipped through to our pick,” Selwood told the Cats’ website.

“At the time we weren’t too sure whether we’d take that third pick, but when a player like Nick is still there, we thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

Originally published as Nick Stevens selected by Geelong with pick No.47