Police investigating after Geelong Cats footballer Jack Steven hospitalised in Melbourne
Police are attempting to get to the bottom of an incident that left Geelong midfielder Jack Steven in a Melbourne hospital, reportedly suffering from a chest wound.
The Cats confirmed their off-season recruit from St Kilda was recovering after an incident on Saturday night.
Police have made contact with Steven and said they would attempt to speak to him again later on Sunday.
“Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after a 30-year-old Lorne man who presented at a Melbourne hospital overnight with a non-life-threatening injury,” a Victoria police spokesperson said.
“Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and hope to speak to the victim again later today.”
The Cats earlier released a statement confirming an incident had taken place.
“Jack is in hospital and recovering. The club’s concern is for Jack’s health and wellbeing,” a Geelong spokesman said.
“The matter has been referred to police and until their investigations are completed the club will not be in position to offer further comment.”
Former Geelong captain Cameron Ling, who skippered the club to the 2011 premiership, told ABC Radio: “The injury is certainly serious but not life threatening which is good news.
“But a really serious incident that Jack’s been involved in and we hope he’s OK.
“At his best he is a wonderful footballer, and he came to the Cats looking for a change of scenery to reinvigorate his love of the game.
“He was excited about what the season held for him. We don’t know many details other than that footy is the furthest thing from his and his family’s mind.”
The 30-year-old was traded to the Cats last October after a decorated 183game career with St Kilda, where he won four best-and-fairest awards.
Steven did not play in Geelong’s round one defeat by GWS in March before the AFL season was suspended.
He came close to AFL retirement last year as he dealt with mental health issues, playing just seven games in 2019.
His parents and extended family live near Geelong and that prompted the player’s desire to be traded to the Cats.