AFL Daily August, 16, 2019: The 'Energizer bunny' sparking Saints

St Kilda caretaker coach Brett Ratten says Jack Steven has been an "energizer bunny" at the club this week after his impressive return to AFL football last round. RECAP TODAY'S FOOTY NEWS

Jack Steven has been an 'Energizer bunny' around St Kilda.

St Kilda caretaker coach Brett Ratten says Jack Steven has been an "energizer bunny" at the club this week after his impressive return to AFL football last round.

 

Steven played his first senior game since Round 6 in last week's win over Fremantle after taking a break away from the club to focus on his mental health.

The four-time best-and-fairest winner played a starring role in the win with three goals and 22 possessions.Ratten said the performance had left Steven on a high this week ahead of tomorrow's clash against Carlton.

"Wasn't it good to see his smile?," Ratten said.

"He was up and about and he is ready to go this week and same with Hanners (Dan Hannebery).

SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP ALL TODAY'S FOOTY NEWS IN THE BLOG BELOW

"For both those boys to be out for periods in the season and not play much footy and then have a performance like that was great for their own self-belief, but also just to get back with the players and be around the footy team, they've had a really good week.

"But he (Steven) is up and about and he's like the little energizer bunny and he buzzes around. But to kick three goals and did what he did was great."

Jack Steven has been an 'Energizer bunny' around St Kilda.

Steven, who has played just the five senior games this season, has been linked to a potential move to Geelong, closer to where he grew up in Lorne.

Asked if performances and wins like last week could help the Saints keep Steven next year, Ratten said he just wanted to see him happy.

"That all sits with list management and Jack as well," Ratten said.

"From an interim coach, I just want him to be happy and get back to what he does best, that will take care if itself at the end of the year.

"He's such a great lad and he's always bubbly and got great personality, so just to see him in that space I think that helps us as a footy team."

Ratten expected Steven to spend more time in the midfield this round against the Blues.

"He'll move around and, probably with the first up performance, we had to just be a bit mindful of him and how much he got up the ground," Ratten said.

"But I think now he's had a game, he's played three games at VFL level, he can start to get through the midfield a little bit more so that will be good for us."

Meanwhile, Ratten said Jade Gresham (eye) could be close to a return for the final round subject to medical clearance. Gresham fractured his eye socket in the Saints' Round 20 clash against Adelaide.

"He will be close next week. It will be up to the doctors (with) the risk versus reward – is it worth playing him?," Ratten said.

"Where if he did get another hit in that spot, it could be bad news for him or no, he'll be fine and we push on.

"But he has done everything this week training wise, we've taken him out of the collision, contact area of our training, but he is progressing well."