Jack Steven is rising into the AFL’s elite, with a blistering season in which he will be an outside chance for this season’s Brownlow medal.
The St Kilda superstar shares some similar traits to the legendary Chris Judd, with his balance and his blazing burst of speed out of a contest simply exceptional.
Steven, the most damaging of the Saints line breakers, has always found no trouble in finding the football, but has been criticised for his inconsistent kicking and his finishing skills in the past.
The club has always highly rated the midfielder, rewarding him with two of the last three club best and fairests.
In 2016, Steven has produced some astonishing numbers, which will have opposition coaches scratching their heads. Steven leads the club for disposals at an average of 28.8, leads all comers for contested possessions, tackles, clearances and inside 50s and runs at an elite disposal efficiency of 71.8 per cent, an extremely impressive ratio considering his high contested game.
The numbers are outstanding but do not truly reflect the impact Steven is having for the Saints.
His blistering speed, fanatic pressure and outstanding work rate has transformed Steven from a great midfielder into one that is knocking down the door of the truly elite.
The improvement of his skills have made Steven such a valuable weapon, and combined with his elite fitness standards and hunger for the contest, make him one of the dominant midfielders of 2016.
Martin Blake, The Age journalist, recently spoke about the dominance of Steven and how as a spectator you marvel at his work rate and his ability to give all for his club.
“He’s the one that is the most spent, he absolutely extracts every drop out of himself”, Blake said.
It is not only Steven’s ability to accumulate possessions at will that impresses everyone, it’s his swagger, his confidence and his ability to take the game on and find holes when there seemingly is none.
The Round 12 game against Carlton at Etihad Stadium is an example of Steven’s instrumental impact.
Up to halftime, the midfielder struggled with a tight tag from Ed Curnow, registering just eight disposals. However, as superstars do, he tore apart the Blues, kicking three goals and gathering 17 disposals in the second half.
In this game, the AFL world saw a Jack Steven with some serious resolve.
Steven’s standards are improving every week and so they should.
In the last few days, fellow on baller Seb Ross declared Steven the club’s best player and lauded him for his leadership.
“He’s in ripping form Jack. He’s in the leadership group this year and he’s doing a great job in leading us in there”.
Whether Nick Riewoldt relinquishes the captaincy is another question, but surely Steven is first in line.
The players thrive off his energy and feed off his hunger for the contest.
Steven’s 2016 is proving just how good he is and just how good he will be in another 2-3 years.
As some of the elite midfielders such as Gary Ablett, Dane Swan, and Jobe Watson start to wind down, Steven is making a serious case as one of those players ready to step into their shoes.
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