Koby Stevens is accustomed to the summer slog, but that doesn’t make his ninth pre-season any easier than his first eight.
The dynamic midfielder overcame an interrupted start to his first season at Linen House Centre to play 15 of the final 17 games of 2017.
Stevens, 26, underwent major groin surgery at the end of last season, but it hasn’t restricted him at all this summer, with the former Western Bulldogs and West Coast onballer not missing a session thus far.
“It’s my ninth pre-season but I don’t think they are getting any easier,” Stevens told saints.com.au from St Kilda’s training camp at Geelong Grammar.
“Matty Hornsby [
“It’s mainly about getting running fit and healthy at this time of year and we’ve got a pretty healthy list at the minute.”
Stevens, who averaged 21.7 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 3.1 clearances in his first season in red, white and black, said new midfield coach Simon McPhee had made his mark since taking over the reins from Adam Kingsley in November.
“Macca has been great. He’s quite measured in the way he goes about his coaching,” Stevens said.
“He’s letting the mids play a little bit this year which is good.
“I think we’ve got the talent in there, it’s just about bonding and getting that group really tight.”
St Kilda’s entire list and coaching department will spend this week training and living at the prestigious Geelong Grammar as they up the ante ahead of the pre-season games and Round 1.
