St Kilda midfielder Koby Stevens forced into early retirement due to concussion

CONCUSSION has forced St Kilda’s Koby Stevens to call time on his career after 91 games with the combative midfielder saying he can no longer risk his health and future.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 25: Koby Stevens of the Saints in action during the St Kilda Saints AFL training session at the Linen House Centre on July 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

ST KILDA midfielder Koby Stevens has been forced into an early retirement due to concussion.

Stevens, 27, had already been ruled out for the season and it was reported months ago that his career was in doubt because of head knocks.

The former West Coast and Western Bulldogs player said in May that his worst head clash “felt like a bomb had gone off”

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Stevens told teammates on Monday after being sidelined since Round 2.

“This decision has taken me a long time to come to,” Stevens said.

“Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I do recognise how lucky I have been to play professionally for the past nine years.

Koby Stevens and Jack Newnes celebrate a St Kilda win. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“However, after lengthy consultations with my family and on the advice of doctors, I’ve made the extremely hard decision that I cannot risk my health and future for the game.

“I’m so grateful for the support of the entire St Kilda Football Club.

“To my teammates and coaches, both here at the Saints and at my previous clubs, thank you for allowing me to live my dream. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done.”

Stevens crossed to the Saints at the end of 2016 after missing out on the Western Bulldogs’ breakthrough premiership and in search of more senior opportunities.

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The midfielder was first drafted by West Coast with pick No.23 in 2009.

Saints coach Alan Richardson paid tribute to Stevens and said the club would continue to support him in retirement.

“Koby quickly earned the respect of his teammates after crossing from the Bulldogs and became a much loved member of our group,” he said.

“He is a high quality person who is enormously respected by everyone at the Saints.”

“When we were at our best last season he was a huge a driver of our midfield group, with his attack on the ball and the opposition.

“Ultimately Koby has had to make a decision for his future and we support him 100 per cent and wish him all the best for the future. He’ll always be part of the Saints family.”

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