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Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
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KOBY Stevens was in career-best form last season when he got the shock of his life.
The rugged midfielder was recovering from a bruised lung that saw him taken to hospital during the round 15 clash with Gold Coast, when he noticed pain in his foot.
That discomfort turned out to be a stress facture, which ended his year and ruined his off-season.
"I didn't think it was that significant at the start, but it ended up being a 20 to 30-week injury, which is pretty serious," Stevens told AFL.com.au.
"It was really frustrating considering the year I was having because it came right out of the blue.
"And I was planning to go on a surfing trip at the end of the season, but the foot operation changed all that.
"But I got back into full training after Christmas and the foot is feeling really good and I'm pretty much fully fit."
Before injury beset the 24-year-old, he'd averaged 23 disposals a game over the previous five weeks to become an integral part of the Bulldogs' imposing midfield.
The big-bodied Bairnsdale product was getting plenty of the footy, winning clearances and helping fill the big hole left by an ACL injury to star playmaker Tom Liberatore.
But it's not going to be easy reclaiming his spot, with Liberatore back to full fitness and a host of impressive youngsters eager for more senior opportunities.
And it's that competition for spots that Stevens hopes will drive him and the Dogs to greater heights in 2016.
"It's going to be pretty interesting come the start of the year, which is good because we've hardly got anyone in the rehab group and the young blokes are hungry for a spot in the side, so it's going to be pretty competitive come round one," Stevens said.
"It's motivated me to push my game to another level."
A country boy at heart, Stevens is enjoying the growing presence of fellow Gippsland Power graduates at Whitten Oval, with skipper Bob Murphy, Clay Smith, Lukas Webb and draftee Josh Dunkley all hailing from the TAC Cup club.
Dunkley and Webb are two pups nipping at his heels for midfield time, but Stevens still takes great pride in guiding the emerging duo.
"I've had a fair bit to do with Josh because I was his mentor when he first arrived at the club," he said.
"He's been great since he's arrived. He's such a sponge and he's improving every day.
"I've known him and Lukas for a while."
Sadly, one man not pushing for a round one spot against Fremantle is Stevens' long-time friend Clay Smith, with the tough-as-teak midfielder recuperating from a third knee reconstruction in as many years.
"Clay is in pretty good spirits considering he's been through a rough trot," Stevens said.
"He's working his way through his rehab and we're just looking to get him back playing footy, because missing three years of footy is pretty hard on a young fella.
"I found it pretty hard watching the boys play last year, but the way he's handled it, it's been inspirational."
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Gotta love Koby. Years spent learning to play forward will help him this year given Bevo's penchant for versatile types.
Crameri missing should help too.
Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
As much as I love Koby I do worry that the intense physicality of his playing style will leave him struggling to stay on the park as much as we need him to. He did have a cracking year last year though. I thought the loss to the Saints where we got run over, had as much to do with Koby being limited after half time where'd he'd been pretty much best on, as it did with Clay Smith's injury.
Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about me
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
The I heard Bevo speak of him recently, he won't need to fight too hard to impress the coach. He's clearly, clearly done that already. Probably because if you squint, the photo above looks like Jarrad Grant.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
The I heard Bevo speak of him recently, he won't need to fight too hard to impress the coach. He's clearly, clearly done that already. Probably because if you squint, the photo above looks like Jarrad Grant.
Are you familiar with looking at Jarrad Grant whilst squinting BT?
I suspect so.
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
PeanutsPeanuts
Are you familiar with looking at Jarrad Grant whilst squinting BT?
I suspect so.
Nah, I like to stare into his eyes. I find it more romantic.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Remember when Kobe cleaned up that Brisbane Lions player last season? We missed his physicality in the last part of the season and with his new found run and carry, break the tackles, break the lines style that he was exhibiting when he was averaging around 23 possessions for his last 6 odd games before the stress fracture injury, he will get heaps of games in 2016.
Officially on the Bus-wagon
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Vitally important player. One of my 'must have in the team' players.
Listening to Brahm's 3rd Racket
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
The Doctor
Vitally important player. One of my 'must have in the team' players.
Agree. Work rate is second to none.
"Loves a scrap....oh yeah & he's a pretty handy footballer as well"
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
The I heard Bevo speak of him recently, he won't need to fight too hard to impress the coach. He's clearly, clearly done that already. Probably because if you squint, the photo above looks like Jarrad Grant.
Heretic.
I founded the Church of Koby.
Spindleshanks was a false prophet.
Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about me
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
The I heard Bevo speak of him recently, he won't need to fight too hard to impress the coach. He's clearly, clearly done that already. Probably because if you squint, the photo above looks like Jarrad Grant.
Hang on I'm confused are supposed to be squinting at both during the comparison? Or just at Koby?
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
Hang on I'm confused are supposed to be squinting at both during the comparison? Or just at Koby?
Whatever you would like. I'm not used to having my posts analysed, such is the quality of most of my 12,000 posts.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
N/A liked this post
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
Whatever you would like. I'm not used to having my posts analysed, such is the quality of most of my 12,000 posts.
Don't you mean posts 'squinted' at...
More of an In Bruges guy?
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
azabob
Don't you mean posts 'squinted' at...
I don't know what I mean at the bests of times?..?.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
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Re: Dog Koby Stevens fit to fight for midfield spot
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
I don't know what I mean at the bests of times?..?.
What about the worst of times? How do you go them?
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.