BACK in February, Jack Steven was like every other AFL player who just wanted the season to start after a long and arduous pre-season.
After an incredible 2013 that culminated in his first Trevor Barker Medal for the Saints' best and fairest, the 24-year-old was thrilled the real games were fast approaching.
But with just one practice game under his belt, Steven's plans for the season came crashing down after an innocuous incident at training created a dull ache in his right foot.
Having not had trouble with the foot before, Steven didn't think a great deal of it.
He vaguely remembers landing when he jumped for the ball but doesn't recall a moment of searing pain or hearing a definitive noise.
The soreness persisted and scans revealed he'd fractured a sesamoid bone – one of two pea-sized bones on the underside of the big toe's main joint.
Initially, he was warned his layoff could extend well into the season.
"At the start it was going to be a lot longer so I'm happy to be back this early," Steven told AFL.com.au this week, after his return game against Adelaide.
"It could have easily been a few months.
"They said they weren't sure – I had to speak to the surgeon to see if I had to get it taken out or a screw put in, which would have made it longer."
After canvassing surgical options - which including putting a pin in the tiny bone, or removing it altogether - it was decided Steven would avoid an operation.
The Saint donned a moon boot, took up crutches for three weeks and headed home to his parents in Lorne for the first part of his recovery.
"I thought it would be fine [when the soreness started] so it was pretty devastating," he said.
"I just went and had a break, had a couple of days off down the coast. Mum and dad looked after me and I just chilled out.
"There wasn't much to do in the first week or so ... it was just nice to do something different, you don't normally get a week off so it was good.
"Then I came back and once I got off the crutches, it all sort of happened pretty quickly."
Jack Steven was straight back to his bullocking ways upon returning to the field. Picture: AFL Media
Steven returned to the field on Sunday against Adelaide, and while the 86-point hammering wasn't ideal, he was pretty content to be back playing.
Recently, he felt he had improved in every training session and was even considered a chance to come back earlier than last weekend.
But, he held back and was released when ready - just over six weeks after he was told to expect at least eight out of the game - and feels good after his first competitive hit-out.
"It's pulled up pretty good. I can't really feel it," he said.
"They said today it might be a bit achy but it feels good."
As for his on-field role this season, Steven has a big year to back up.
He's started in style, getting his hands on the ball within 15 seconds on the opening bounce on Sunday and kicking an incredible overhead volley goal before racking up 20 touches.
He is also keen to continue to develop his leadership skills within the young team, having identified that as an area he needs to grow in.
"I'm getting better. I've never been much of a big leadership sort of guy but I think the way I do it the best, I just try my hardest on the field and I think that's the way I set it," he said.
"I'm not one for big speeches or anything but I think I'm slowly getting better.
"It's a work in progress for me, I think."
