With Jack Steven's explosive speed the highlight of his game in the 2016 season, every time Steven tried to break away last season, it caused him extreme discomfort on his hamstring.
The St Kilda fan favourite won the previous three best and fairests but only managed sixth place in last year’s count, but this preseason, his hamstrings are feeling good. He hasn’t missed a session so far receiving plaudits from coach Alan Richardson.
“What is pleasing for all the fans is he is flying this pre-season. We would expect him to bounce back in a really positive way.” Richardson said.
Steven is glad and relieved that he can now once again rely on his speed.
“Everyone kept telling me I had a bad year. I didn’t think it was too bad. But I had the hammy tendon issue, so I didn’t have any explosiveness, which is my main thing," Steven added.
“I got tagged a few games and didn’t handle that as well,"
Steven also expressed that the club has no concerns about the club's lack of stars following the retirement of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.
“I don’t listen too much to that talk. We have definitely got a few of the younger boys who have the potential to get there,’’ Steven said.
“If you start winning a few more games it changes people’s view. It is very much based on your wins and losses.
“Nick Coffield and Hunter Clark, our two high picks, look really handy at the moment. Coffield has a nice step on him and a bit of pace.
“And Hunter is just really cruisy and clean and uses the ball well. They are both going well for a first pre-season.
“Also, Jack Sinclair and Ed Phillips are putting their hand up and it will be good to have Armo (David Armitage) back.”
With St Kilda having a very experienced and solidified back six, Steven has said that they are expecting Jimmy Webster to have a big year as they aim to utilise his elite kicking ability.
“We want him to be confident, almost have an arrogance about him, to take the game on with his legs,’’ Steven said.
“Brandon White and Bailey Rice have had good pre-seasons so while the back six has been settled they will try to force their way in there.”
Steven also gave an update on forward Paddy McCartin, after a series of head knocks and concussions have derailed his first three seasons in the system.
“He is killing it. I don’t want to pump him up too much, but he just needs a clean run at it. He is looking really fit and running really well and he’s trimmed down a bit," he added.
“We have seen what he can do at training, we just want him to play games.”
