Koby Stevens being pursued by St Kilda and Essendon, yet to re-sign with Western Bulldogs
ST KILDA has entered the race for Koby Stevens as the out-of-contract Bulldog weighs up his future at Whitten Oval after missing out on an AFL premiership.
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ST KILDA has entered the race for Koby Stevens as the out-of-contract Western Bulldog weighs up his future.
The Saints are keen to build a deeper midfield pack and are set to secure Greater Western Sydney’s Jack Steele.
The former academy player nominated the Saints’ as his preferred home on Saturday after playing 17 games in two seasons at the Giants.
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The dream scenario for St Kilda is parting with draft pick No.47 for Steele, 20, who boasts running power and strength overhead.
A decision on Stevens, 25, was delayed due to the Dogs’ September success as the fringe player unsuccessfully tried to break into coach Luke Beveridge’s 22.
His management will meet with Bulldog list manager Jason McCartney this week.
It is likely Stevens would receive a more lucrative contract if he switched to a third AFL club.
Essendon has been strongly linked to Stevens, but the Saints are also circling.
Stevens has played 12 games in each of the past two seasons under Beveridge, but has not been selected in any finals.
He was Footscray’s second-best player, behind re-signed onballer Lin Jong, in last month’s VFL premiership.
Stevens also polled six Brownlow Medal votes this year.
Spaces on the Dogs’ list are tight with Stevens, Nathan Hrovat, Matthew Boyd and Joel Hamling all uncontracted.
Jong and premiership star Clay Smith inked new deals on Friday.
Stevens was drafted by West Coast at No.22 in 2009, but relocated to Victoria four years ago.
He averaged 22 disposals and five tackles this season.
Saints list boss Ameet Bains said last week the club was midway through its strategic rebuild.
“We’re not one player away from winning a flag that’s the reality of it so we still need to be quite considered in what we do,” Bains said.
“I think most clubs would say that you can’t have enough midfielders and that’s been highlighted by the Bulldogs on the Swans.
“They have the two deepest midfields in the comp.”
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