Cats reject interest in Steven
GEELONG has denied it has made a play to lure St Kilda star Jack Steven to the club.
Reports by Fairfax Media suggested last night the Cats had been in contact with the Saints and Steven’s management about getting the former Lorne footballer to the Cattery for 2019.
But coach Chris Scott last night dismissed those suggestions, while his St Kilda counterpart, Alan Richardson, said he was confident the midfielder would be at the Saints next season.
“No,” Scott said when asked on AFL360 if the Cats were trying to recruit Steven.
“I think it’s very misleading to say we’re making a play for Jack Steven. That’s not true.
“There are contracted players everywhere. Jack, I think, is a contracted player.
“Managers and list managers have conversations at various times through the year and they would ask about hundreds of players, so if there’s some validity to that question being asked, I’m assuming it was answered pretty quickly and that’s that.”
Richardson said Steven was contracted to St Kilda for another two seasons and that the 28-year-old was a “key part of what we are doing”.
“We are really comfortable that Jack is not only staying with us but a really important part of driving what we are doing,” he said.
“It would be irresponsible of Geelong not to ask, or any footy club really. We have mentioned before that we’re aggressive (at targeting players) and I’d imagine the Cats are going to be aggressive.”