BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Koby Stevens

By Awesome Scotty
BomberBlitz: So Koby, who was your footy idol growing up and why?
Koby Stevens: As a little child growing up, I loved the way Nathan Buckley went about his game. His skills were like no other and he was a very attacking player.

BB: Who do you barrack for, and where do you want to go?
KS: Richmond. I don’t have a preference of where I want to go, I just want to get to the highest level . A Melbourne based club would be great though.

BB: What is your preferred position on-field and why?
KS: In the midfield. I am a very attacking player with good endurance and work ethic.

BB: Can you list three reasons why you would like to come to Essendon that distance it from its rivals?
KS: A very profound culture and club with a very exciting young playing group.

BB: Did your injuries this season set you back a lot in your preparation?
KS: Yes, the osteitis pubis began to take away my power for kicking and running during the year.

BB: Are you nervous about making the transition from TAC to the AFL?
KS: Yes and no, I’m not nervous about the training and requirements after experiencing it whilst training with Collingwood, but moving away and being with a new group of people is a little daunting for anyone.

BB: Which footballer do you think you are most-like on field?
KS: I try to model myself around Joel Selwood and I think my style of play is a lot like his.

BB: Who do others say you play like?
KS: Joel Selwood.

BB: What would you say are your greatest strengths?
KS: Marking, work ethic, stoppage work, attack on the player and ball, defensive pressure skills.

BB: What areas do you reckon you could improve on?
KS: My kicking is good but I want it to be elite.

BB: What would your top 3 goals be once you’re drafted to an AFL club?
KS:
1. Earn the respect of the group and staff.
2. Get my body in the best possible shape.
3. Play a game next year.

BB: What was it like getting an AIS scholarship for AFL?
KS: It was very exciting, I had the chance to play with some of the best underage player in the country and be coached by the best.

BB: What do you think of the prospect of possibly moving away from home?
KS: It’s a little scary but I’m the kind of person who can cope with being away from home.

BB: Who has been the hardest player to play on in the under 18s?
KS: Tom Scully – his running abillity is elite.

BB: Besides yourself, who do reckon might go in the top 5?
KS:
Tom Scully
Jack Trengrove
Anthony Morabito
Dustin Martin
Ben Cunnington

BB: How much of a step up were the championships, and what was it like
playing with, and against, the best kids?
KS: The champs are a very high standard and the speed of the game is very quick but you adapt to this pretty quickly.

BB: Do you read any of the media or on-line draft predictions?
KS: I try not to get to entwined in the draft predictions it can play on your mind but you take a look.

BB: Do you have a rough idea of where you might be placed in terms of draft position?
KS: No, the clubs keep their cards pretty close to their chest when you talk to them so it’s hard to say.

BB: What have been your best and worst experiences this year?
KS: Definitely going to South Africa with the AIS. I was with amazing people and on an experience of a lifetime in a mass poverty country.

The worst would of been having to pull the pin when I felt I was letting my team down by playing with sore groins but it was what had to be done for the best of the team and my body.

BB: How did you find leading the cream of the country’s under 18 players?
KS: It was an amazing experience knowing that I would be running out the gates leading some of the most talented players in Victoria. They respected me and I respected them greatly, so my job was made easy by the abundance of leaders the group was blessed with this year.

BB: Do you consider yourself a natural leader, and were you reluctant at all to take on the role?
KS: I have always considered myself to have lesser attributes and through my experience with the AIS I was able to build on this a lot . I was not reluctant at all to take on such a role.

BB: Did anyone prove to be a problem under your authority?
KS: No, no way- all the guys were great blokes and we could give each other feedback or criticism and take it on the chin, its just the way it was .

BB: There’s a feeling that John Butcher struggled to maintain his star rating from 2008, how did Gippsland deal with that this year and did you feel the needed to help him with anything given your leadership position?
KS: No, John Butcher only struggled to maintain the status everyone talked him up to have, he is a superstar, and if anyone could have a good season whilst constantly having to deal with two players on him at once most games of the year, then you are something pretty special.

BB: When did you start playing footy?
KS: When I was 8.

BB: Who has had the greatest influence on your footy career so far?
KS: My father, he got me into footy as a youngster and coached me for my junior days and taught me a lot.

BB: Would you prefer to join a team that is currently in the hunt and there is limited first 22 opportunity, or one that is rebuilding where there will be more immediate opportunities?
KS: Any opportunity to be in an AFL environment would be great.

BB: What was your junior club like?
It was very country like with great people and players

BB: How influential was your first coach?
KS: My father was my first coach and was one of the biggest influences.
BB: Following on from your father having a great influence, having coached you. Did he play a fair bit of footy? What position was he?
KS: My father played a lot of country football down this way for Lucknow in the East Gippsland Football Leauge and also up in NSW. He was a foward and midfielder.

BB: What advice would you give to a kid on how to get to your level?
KS: Take the advice of those around you, use every training session as a learning experience and challenge youself at every opportunity.

BB: Do you play any sports other than footy?
KS: No, not this year. However, basketball was a big part of my life, I played in the state team during under 14’s to 17’s.

BB: If AFL wasn’t around, what would you do instead?
KS: Either playing basketball or trying to pursue a professional wakeboarding career.

BB: Now for the important questions. Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam
centred type donut man?
KS: Jam.

BB: If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
KS: Surfing the biggest wave to date.

BB: What music do you listen to?
KS: Aussie hip-hop, dance, indie-rock.

BB: If someone made a film of your life, who would you like to play the lead role?
KS: Will ferrell because he is hilarious.

BB: Name 3 people you would invite to dinner and why?
KS:
Chad Reed
Mick Fanning
Ben Cousins

Because they’re all amazing at what they do.

BB: One place you would like to visit?
KS: Maldives.

BB: Three words to describe yourself?
Respectful, determined and fun.

BB: What is your favourite colour M&M?
KS: Red.

BB: Do you think milk should be added to instant coffee prior to
boiling water or after?
KS: After.

BB: Shorts or pants man?
KS: Depends on the weather.

BB: Shoes or thongs?
KS: Both.

BB: Thanks for the interview, Koby.

Posted 24 November 09 in Interviews