{"id":183558,"date":"2025-03-25T11:29:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T01:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=183558"},"modified":"2025-03-25T11:29:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T01:29:35","slug":"preseason-qa-mitchell-stevens-gippsland-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/03\/25\/preseason-qa-mitchell-stevens-gippsland-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason Q&A: Mitchell Stevens (Gippsland Power)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ADELAIDE’S depth of father-son selections has been relatively thin over the years, but after Max Michalanney<\/strong> and Tyler Welsh<\/strong> landed at West Lakes recently, one more club-tied talent is in the offing in 2025. Mitchell Stevens<\/a> is the name, the son of 101-game Crow and 1998 premiership player Mark<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stevens impressed as a versatile defender in his bottom-age campaign, able to play small and tall with promising speed and rebound ability. A bumper preseason has him primed for more midfield minutes this time around. We chatted to the 17-year-old at the recent Coates Talent League preseason testing event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Q&As:<\/strong> Jack Dalton<\/a> | Harry Dean<\/a> | Harley Hicks<\/a> | Archie Ludowyke<\/a> | Thomas McGuane<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRESEASON Q&A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Q: Mitch, can you give us a rundown into your footy journey and how you got started?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>I wasn’t allowed to play early on because Dad didn’t let me, but I started at Heyfield in  Under 10s I think. Won a flag in Under 12s, Covid happened and then I did my knee, which was a bit unfortunate. Now I\u2019m playing for [Gippsland] Power and loving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How much influence has your Dad had on your career?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>A fair bit. Always having chats after the game to see how I can improve, kicking with me, seeing what I can do different to improve myself. So, heaps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you watched many of his highlights?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>There’s not too many of them, but I try to watch a couple of replays of games just to see how he goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are you an Adelaide fan?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Adelaide and Saints. After all the things the Crows do for you, I guess you have to go for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> MORE:<\/strong> Which AFL clubs do this year’s CTL prospects support?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How has your preseason been?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>I’ve only had a couple of full preseasons, so this one’s been pretty full on and I’ve loved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What about your experience in the Vic Country hub?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>That was amazing. Getting to know all the Vic Country boys, elite coaching and just a very good environment to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stevens in Vic Country colours last year | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Versatile [and] hard at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some of your strengths?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>My speed. I like to burst away from the stoppages or just off my opponent. My kicking, and just versatility to play on anyone, any size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any improvements you\u2019re looking to make?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Probably just getting my hands on the footy more and being more of a leader out on the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Which player do you try and mould your game on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Probably Will Day<\/strong> at the minute, or Max Michalanney<\/strong>. I watch his game fairly heavily and like the way he plays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What role do you expect to play this year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Mainly off the half-back due to last year, but hopefully I\u2019ll move into the midfield this year. Maybe even the forwardline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you set any goals for the year?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Getting drafted is the main one, but there\u2019s little ones before that like making Vic Country and getting in the leadership group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Which teammate should we look out for to have a big season?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MS: <\/strong>Zach O’Keefe<\/a> or Cody Templeton<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> MORE:<\/strong> Which CTL players are set for a breakout year?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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