AFL: Jack Steven’s attacker may have been known to him

Police investigating the stabbing of Geelong midfielder Jack Steven believe he was ­attacked by someone who knows him.

Geelong’s Jack Steven is unwilling to tell police how he suffered a stab wound.

Police investigating the stabbing of Geelong midfielder Jack Steven believe he was ­attacked by someone who knows him.

Investigators are believed to have come to the conclusion the ­incident did not involve self-harm or a random attack. But with Steven unwilling to tell police exactly what happened, charges are unlikely.

The AFL’s integrity team will speak to Steven, 30, about the circumstances of the stabbing.

Geelong said Steven was “very lucky” after surviving a wound to the right side of his body.

The AFL is concerned about the incident that led to Steven admitting himself to hospital at 1am on Sunday.

It is understood the league’s focus will be on getting clarity about the lead-up to the stabbing.

Rather than a formal investigation, the AFL is keen to support Steven, who has fought serious mental-health battles in the past.

His parents visited the former St Kilda player at the ­Alfred Hospital on Monday. He is expected to be released this week.

As Geelong resumed training, head of football Simon Lloyd said it was too early to consider his return to the club.

“Obviously it’s being investigated by the police at the ­moment, so we’ve got to be very careful not to speculate and make assumptions,” Lloyd said. “The focus is on health and support for Jack.

“Our medical team have spoken to the trauma doctors at the Alfred and where he received the injury was under the right thoracic, so in his chest.”

Geelong believed Steven to be in excellent shape over the pre-season and friends said he was brimming with positivity before the season shutdown.

“Jack’s very lucky as we speak,” Lloyd said. “He’s recovering, he doesn’t require any further operation or exploratory surgery.

“We’re not even thinking about (him returning to the club) at this point in time. We just really need to focus on his health and wellbeing.

“Jack comes from a very tight-knit family, he has his mum and dad around him at the moment, he has his partner and his siblings as well. There’s a lot of love, care and support for him.”

HERALD SUN