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POLICE will keep digging for answers over who stabbed Geelong’s Jack Steven (pictured), with the footy star still not coming forward with details about the incident.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said yesterday Steven was the “victim of something serious” but was expected to return to the club within days.
Scott said he didn’t think Steven should have to explain the circumstances of what happened to be cleared to play again, but more clarity would help the club assist him moving forward.
“We’d like to know the circumstances only so we can help him, so he can help us. Those two things go together really clearly,” he said.
The AFL star has continued to shirk detectives working to piece together the ins and outs of the stabbing at the weekend.
Given the seriousness of Steven’s injuries, police cannot easily close the case based on his apparent unwillingness to speak.
But his refusal to provide a statement of events significantly hampers the investigation.
The 30-year-old is believed to have been attacked by someone he knows, but investigators cannot draw conclusions without his co-operation.
A police source said: “Nothing forces a victim to make a statement and report a matter but you can impede an investigation by not talking.”
Hours before the stabbing Steven dropped his young daughter, Maggie, at the Brighton East home of his former partner, Indiana Beresford.
The pair lived together at the home until their separation more than a year ago.
Neighbours said Steven was accompanied by a woman, believed to be his new girlfriend Marley Gordon.
It is not suggested either woman was involved in the stabbing, just that he saw both the day of the attack.
Ms Beresford did not answer the door when approached by News Corp this week.
Scott warned people against linking the player’s previous mental health battles to the stabbing.
Steven came close to walking away from the game last year as he dealt with mental health issues, playing seven games for St Kilda in 2019.
“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,” Scott said.
“My sense is that some feel Jack might have some sort of case to answer here. I haven’t seen or heard any information that would imply that.”
The AFL is expected to begin an investigation when police finalise their work. A police spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing. Steven declined to comment.