ST KILDA is backing club champion Jack Steven to handle the pressure of being the No.1 target of opposition taggers as he looks to join the AFL's elite bracket in 2014.
Steven, who emerged as the Saints' most dangerous midfield weapon last season, is certain to attract the weekly attention of stoppers after the departure of Nick Dal Santo to North Melbourne.
His continued development during a flawless pre-season, however, has him well prepared for the challenge, according to midfield and stoppage coach Adam Kingsley.
"We expect him to get a lot more attention, but he's certainly well equipped to be able to handle that," Kingsley told AFL.com.au.
"He just needs to come up with a couple of different strategies and if one of them isn't working he's got to go to the next one.
"He started to get the No.1 tag at the back end of last year and people started going to him rather than Nick Dal Santo, which is a great credit to him.
"If they're choosing to tag him over 'Dal' then he's having a significant impact over games."
Steven was named in the extended All Australian squad after a breakout season, averaging 27 possessions and finishing the year with a career-high 47 touches against Fremantle.
His consistency was a feature after a standout pre-season, and Kingsley said he was on track to improve his physical benchmarks ahead of the 2014 campaign.
"The intensity increased significantly this year in Colorado, and for him to do every single session without complaint from his body was a super result," Kingsley said.
"Last year he was awarded the best trainer, so that was something that really helped him through the course of the season.
"This year I think all the boys worked really well, but Jack again stood out with his intensity at training. He throws himself into everything and gives himself the best opportunity to get something out of it."
Steven is equipped for the mental challenge of facing a tagger every week, according to Kingsley, but his style of play will also help.
A strong contested-ball winner, he also has the ability to burst from congestion, making him a difficult midfield match-up.
"He can play inside or he can outside and he's not a one-trick pony," Kingsley said.
"He's got numerous weapons that the opposition need to worry about.
"You can't put a big, bullocking stoppage player on him because he's going to spread on the outside and really damage you with his speed.
"And you can't put a high-speed, light guy on him on the outside because he's going to bully you inside."
Jack Steven's ability to play inside and outside should help him deal with taggers. Picture: AFL Media
The challenge for Steven in 2014 will be to not only handle the extra attention, but to emerge from it a more effective player.
The 23-year-old has more levels to climb before he is matching the exploits of teammates Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna, but Kingsley believes he has all the tools necessary.
"The thing about elite midfielders is they can do it game after game, year after year," he said.
"He's had one really good year, but he's got to be able to string year upon year together like the best players in the competition do.
"He's certainly got the appetite to be a great midfielder of the competition."
