Geelong coach Chris Scott claims Jack Steven was the “victim of something serious” but expects the midfielder back at the AFL club within days.
The Cats’ off-season recruit was discharged from hospital on Tuesday, having been admitted with a stab wound over the weekend.
Details are still unclear as to how the 30-year-old ended up with the injury and a police investigation is ongoing.
Detectives spoke with him on Sunday but Steven was unable to shed any light on what led to being admitted to hospital in the early hours of that morning.
Scott addressed the situation at Geelong training on Thursday, but the club remains none the wiser on what actually happened.
“I think it’s wrong that some people have jumped the gun and said that this is an AFL integrity matter, and somehow Jack has a case to answer before he plays footy again – that’s assuming the worst in people,” he told reporters.
“We’d like to know the circumstances (surrounding the incident) only so we can help him, so he can help us; those things go together.
“It’s clear he was the victim of something quite serious that required hospitalisation but I think the priority should be his wellbeing.
“We’re trying to protect his privacy as much as possible as well. We want to care for him and help as much as we possibly can.”
Scott is unsure when Steven will rejoin Cats training ahead of the AFL season resumption on June 11, but believes it’s “more like days than weeks”.
Steven came close to AFL retirement last year as he dealt with mental health issues, playing just seven games in 2019.
At the end of last season, he was granted his wish to be traded to Geelong to be closer to his family and friends, following four best-and-fairest awards in 11 seasons with St Kilda.
Scott Watters, St Kilda’s coach in 2012 and 2013, claimed this week Steven had “really challenging, negative influences” early in his time at the Saints and the club attempted to “separate him from some of that”.
But Scott criticised people who have linked Steven’s mental health battles with this unexplained situation.
“(Steven’s) very much in our thoughts when it comes to the possible composition of our team in 2020,” Scott said.
“I get the feeling that some people want to roll some of the previous problems that Jack has had into this current situation and I would caution against that; they are two separate issues.
“He’s certainly not your cookie-cutter AFL type, he’s a little different, but I could speak about 30 of our players in a similar manner.”
Steven missed Geelong’s round-one loss to GWS in March before the season was halted, but he was one of the Cats’ best with 26 possessions in their final practice match against Essendon.
“I’ve read some commentary that he’s been really impressive through the preseason and I’ll verify that,” Scott said.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hand yourself in then. He's already training again so you'll only get community service. Lots of people "have it on good authority". Congratulations on being able to get into a pub.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Don - I have it on good authority what happened. Is it any surprise Steven doesn't want to reveal who stabbed him?
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Another possibility is when you're in a relationship with someone and you cheat them. Sometimes your original partner doesn't take kindly to that sort of thing you know..... You don't understand? Why don't you THINK about the children.
Shane
Guest
Actually, it's childish how many groups en ups think they are owed an explanation. Crass and rather pathetic if you ask me. These people must lead very small, depressing lives.
Virgil Starkwell
Guest
Geelong injury list: Steven - stab wound. Something he’d rather not talk about. Even to police. The coach fully respects that. The coach then goes on to say that whilst Steven isn’t exactly normal, his club has 30 similar-type players?! The whole thing is just bizarre.
Julian
Guest
The Alfred (and RMH) is the trauma centre. Anyone with a stab wound to the chest would be transferred after being stabilised. Had an ambulance been called initially it would have gone straight to the Alfred.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
like that fantastic journalist hounding boyd from doggies a few years ago
Big Daddy
Guest
Pedro, what you have got to realise is the media has to check with Eddie first and now he is having round tables with V'Landys to plan the future of the game. Hit me with a brick and call me stupid I'm sure Eddie is running the game.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I’m suffering from amnesia and deja vu at the sametime. I keep forgetting I’ve seen it before.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"General Hospital" meets "The Young and the Restless"?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
In the absence of a definitive outcome/advice the General Public will also be likely to exercise their right to speculate as to what actually happened … sometimes guessing wildly! That is the world we live in.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
That is the exact position that Adelaide took with Stengle (waiting to ensure the players welfare and to determine what actually happened). They have been caned by Kane and Caro since (again mentioned this week on Footy Classified).
Brian
Guest
I believe he has kids in Brighton. Anyway if it has nothing to do with mental health then why not fess up on what happened. Otherwise only natural for people to speculate on what probably happened
Realist
Guest
Depends on the new fixture, Pete and how well Stephens can cover for Kelly, and if Jenkins (The Great White Hoax) can play more than 1 decent game in 5, which I doubt very much. They could make it but there are just too many question marks with the Cats. Regarding the Tiges, if we don't secure a Prelim at home, I'd still back us to win anywhere although WCE in Perth would be a close one. I don't think WCE will make Prelim this year in any case.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Didn't work out well for them last time
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes he did go to the nearest but he was sent on by ambulance to the Alfred.
Boo
Guest
Maybe Pedro, journos don't want to press too hard because of his perceived mental problems.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The only urgency Don is click bait ad revenue
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Imagine the Tigers in a preliminary playing say Port in Adelaide. Doggies might give you a run at the G too. Eagles would beat you too in Perth and give it a real shake at the G. Big call of yours to say Cats won’t make the eight.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
It is also unclear as to why the media is not relentlessly hounding Steven and the club to find out why. Surely there is enough public interest in the incident to make it "newsworthy", and enough public benefit to be accrued from knowing what has happened (ie: watch out, this person (or persons) is dangerous ...) to warrant relentless harassment from the media? Afterall, it is what would have happened if this incident had occurred at some other clubs.