Police to interview Jack Steven after Cats’ recruit hospitalised with stab wound

Victorian Police seek to interview Jack Steven about circumstances that led to his hospitalisation with stab wound.

Jack Steven in action for Geelong against Essendon in a Marsh Community Series match in March. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian Police are planning to interview Geelong recruit Jack Steven about the circumstances that led to him being hospitalised with a stab wound to his chest.

The 30-year-old, who is yet to feature this season for the Cats after being traded by St Kilda, is recovering from the wound at the Alfred Hospital.

It was reported Steven took an Uber to the Cabrini Hospital in Malvern early on Sunday with the injury, before being transferred for further treatment.

Officers from the Stonnington crime investigation unit are seeking further clarity from the former Saint as to what occurred just over 24 hours before he was due to resume training at Geelong. It’s understood he refused an initial request to explain to police the events surrounding the apparent stabbing.

Jack Steven. Picture: AAP

His new club confirmed Steven, a dashing midfielder at his best, was involved in an incident but provided no further detail and Steven had not provided any light to police on what occurred by Sunday evening.

There is understandable worry for Steven, who is known to have suffered mental health problems in the past.

Geelong refused to comment given the police investigation other than to say they were concerned for “Jack’s health and wellbeing”.

A four-time best-and-fairest winner with St Kilda, Steven requested and was granted a change of clubs to help his battle with a mental health issue.

Steven had two stints away from the Saints last year: once at a retreat in Broome in the lead-in to the 2019 season and again in May.

Having grown up in Lorne, the move to Geelong enabled Steven to be closer to his family. It is believed his partner and child still live in Melbourne.

Steven trained well over summer, though he did suffer a calf problem that forced him to miss the Cats opening-round loss to the Giants in Sydney.

Former Geelong captain Cameron Ling said there was hope the change of scenery would enable Steven to regain his health and also rekindle his best form.

“At his best, he is a wonderful footballer and he came to the Cats looking for a change of scenery to reinvigorate his love for the game,” Ling told the ABC.

“He has battled mental health issues and worked through those and loved being at the beach and close to the coastal lifestyle.

“All reports from the club were that he was training hard through the summer until the season stopped because of coronavirus.

“He was excited about what the season held for him. We don’t know many details, other than that footy is the furthest thing from his mind and his family’s mind. All it (will be about is) his health and wellbeing and recovering from this.”

The suspension of the season has caused some concerns for clubs about the health of some players who have struggled without the structure the regular season provides.

The AFL will monitor the situation involving Steven and it is possible the league will consider its own probe depending on the inquiries from police.

To protect the health of footballers and the broader community, the AFL has added special coronavirus clauses to its rules for this season. Players will embrace stricter community guidelines than the broader community.