AFL star involved in stabbing incident did not self-harm and was attacked by someone he knows - police believe - but he won't tell them what happened
- Police believe AFL player Jack Steven, 30, was stabbed by someone he knows
- Steven admitted himself to hospital with stab wound to his right side on Sunday
- He has so far refused to provide officers details about the incident
Troubled AFL star Jack Steven was stabbed by someone he knows and did not self-harm, police believe.
The 30-year-old Geelong player, who joined the Cats from St Kilda last year, took himself to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne at 1am on Sunday with a stab wound to the right side of his chest.
While mystery continues to surround the events leading up to his arrival, police have concluded he did not self-harm, nor was he attacked at random, The Herald Sun reported.
But Steven has refused to cooperate with or speak to investigators regarding the incident.
Police believe AFL player Jack Steven, 30, (pictured at St Kilda training in August, 2019) was stabbed by someone he knows after he was admitted to hospital with a stab wound
Daily Mail Australia has been told the AFL holds serious concerns for the young father-of-one, who has struggled with mental health issues in the past.
Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd told reporters Steven was 'very lucky' the injuries weren't worse.
'It’s being investigated by the police at the moment so we’ve got to be very careful not to speculate and make assumptions,' he said.
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'We’ll allow the police to do all their investigations and at the moment the focus is on health and support for Jack.
'Our medical team have spoken to the trauma doctors at the Alfred [Hospital]. He received the injury under the right thoracis in his chest... Jack’s very lucky as we speak.'
On Monday, the AFL indicated it's integrity unit would likely speak to the troubled footballer, who is still in hospital.
Steven reportedly moved to the Cats from St Kilda for the 2020 season to be closer to his family following a prolonged mental health battle.
The four-time St Kilda best-and-fairest winner managed just seven matches last year in his fight with depression and revealed he considered hanging up his boots entirely.
Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd told reporters Steven (pictured with partner Indiana Beresford in 2013) was 'very lucky' the incident didn't have a more dire result
'I love playing, I still wanted to play,' he told AFL.com.au. 'I don't think my footy dies down that quickly, it's just my fitness and getting to happy, healthy state.
'It [having a break] had to happen. Everyone reacts differently to mental health. Some people can deal with it better than others and I just needed to take a break. It was the right thing to do.'
Former Cats captain Cameron Ling told ABC radio he was devastated to hear about the stabbing.
'He has battled mental health issues and worked through those and loved being at the beach and close to the coastal lifestyle,' Ling said.
'All reports from the club were he was training hard through the summer until the season stopped because of coronavirus.'
Ling said Steven had been 'excited about what the season held for him'.
Steven is expected to make a full recovery and will be match fit to return to the field when the season resumes following a break during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Steven (pictured during the AFL pre-season) is expected to make a full recovery and will be match fit to return to the field after moving to the Geelong Cats in the off season
