Geelong midfielder Jack Steven takes time away to assess playing future as Cats ponder possible payout
Bringing in Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith was always going to be a financial balancing act. How does the Jack Steven news change things?
Geelong
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Geelong midfielder Jack Steven has taken time away to decide whether he can fully commit to a 13th AFL season or whether he should walk away from the club halfway through his two-year contract.
Just 13 months after choosing the Cats as the best hope of reigniting his passion for the game and regaining his fitness levels, Steven is now considering an early AFL exit.
The Herald Sun has confirmed Geelong and the 30-year-old have held preliminary discussions about a potential payout on the final year of his deal.
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It is understood the Cats are willing to support Steven in his decision.
But if a negotiated deal is reached for 2021, it would free up a spot on Geelong’s playing list as the club continues to work on getting Giants forward Jeremy Cameron and Kangaroos midfielder Shaun Higgin to join unrestricted free agent Isaac Smith at GMHBA Stadium.
Should Steven leave the club, it would also give the club further certainty surrounding its playing group with clubs desperately waiting for the AFL to finalise the list sizes and salary cap numbers.
Geelong looked to have made a significant coup when it recruited the four-time Saints best and fairest winner last October – for what seemed to be a bargain pick 58 – but few things went right for the explosive midfielder from the time he started with the Cats.
Steven spent two days in hospital after being stabbed in May when the AFL shutdown was on.
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He also struggled with soft tissue injuries this season as the Cats desperately tried to build a fitness base that would allow the veteran to get the best out of himself again.
However, he could manage only nine senior games for the Cats in 2020, adding to the 183 games he played with St Kilda from 2009 to 2019.
Steven played in the Cats’ final round clash with Sydney, but was not a part of the club’s run through the finals to a Grand Final loss.
A hamstring injury in the club’s final scratch match quashed his slim hopes of a Grand Final recall.
He bravely admitted he almost quit the game at the back end of his career with the Saints, taking an extended break to deal with his mental health issues.
He had hoped the trade to Geelong – which brought the one-time Lorne native closer to his family and friends – could see him regain the form that made him such a dynamic midfielder for the Saints.
But injuries and fitness issues – and the fact he struggled to find a consistent spot in the senior team – meant his impact this season was only minimal.
Steven made his Cats’ debut in Round 3, but his game-breaking pace was dulled and the Cats had to manage his game time.
On only two occasions from his nine games this year did he register more than 70 per cent of game time.
He twice had 20 or more disposals, and kicked one goal in his nine matches.
Geelong coach Chris Scott explained several times during the season that the club had to work on getting Steven‘s fitness base to the right levels.
“We don’t intend to play him every week,” Scott said in July.
“He’s going to play a lot of footy for us but we don’t want to push the envelope too hard with him and make a mistake that still has him less than peak fitness come the end of the season, if we’re there.”
The Cats will continue to speak with Steven about his options with a final decision on his future likely to come soon.
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Originally published as Geelong midfielder Jack Steven takes time away to assess playing future as Cats ponder possible payout