Dukes of depth - Saturday 5 August 2000
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League football can be like riding a bike. Some learn to balance quickly
and pick up speed in no time without the slightest hint of a fall or
accident. You look at players like Kevin Bartlett and Michael Tuck. They
both won stages in footy's equivalent of the Tour de France. Then we see
blokes that as kids had all the skills on their dragstar bikes. But as the
years roll on they might hit a patch of oil on the road or be forced on to
wet tram lines or collide with a car that fails to indicate. All these
hazards can restrict even the best athletes. A fella who had the pedals
pumping but struck punctures along the AFL road was Robert Stevenson.
He had powers and abilities in full measure as a teenager. Stevenson made the rough seem smooth. With apparent ease he could clear away from football's frenzy of spoked wheels. The yellow jersey was his alone. Robert came from Taylors Lakes and starred with the Western Jets. Essendon showed great interest in a youngster who lived just about on their doorstep. Stevo attended the AFL training camp in Canberra. There was a story that he and a young player now with an interstate club discovered there was actually a night life in the nation's capital. At any rate, in 1993, a premiership year for the Bombers, they used their first pick selection 19 overall to draft Stevenson. The Dons handed him the number 17 guernsey previously worn by Daryl Gerlach and Stephen Carey and Kieran Sporn. Stevo was given time in the seconds to acclimatise to the unpredictable and sensitive cylinders on football's roller derby. He was 188 centimetres tall and spun the meter round to 90 kilograms. The kid had the natural attributes of a key defender. Could stay upright in bone crushing packs and with the ball under the wing he was on his bike which created headaches for chasing forwards. It was as clear as the record of Miguel Indurain that Stevenson would slot into centre half back or at least a back pocket with a youthful Dustin at full back. A combination that promised to be the best thing since Sid Patterson and Barry Waddell. Robbie Bob got his opportunity in the middle of 1994. He played a serviceable game in round 11 against Richmond at Optus. Took some timely marks in defence and kicked with precision to the midfield. Often he frustrated the Tigers by turning back one forward thrust after another. Early in the third stanza he soared into the air head and shoulders above the pack and pulled down a one grabber. It was the coconut on the lamington for a Dons win 24.10 to 17.6. The young gun played steady football over the next few weeks. But at training he did a hamstring that hung around like a hacking cough. When he returned, RS had to go through the gears in the twos. He performed well in early 1995 but again was pursued by the injury ghost. A persistent knee problem. Following a string of solid performances in the reserves, he was promoted. A useful interchange player in three games. He could come on and rebound strongly from the defensive 50. Still in the years '94 to '97, Stevenson a total of 11 starts in the ones and some 80 at rezzie level. The Western Bulldogs drafted Stevenson with 1997 national selection 47. The Dogs gave the ex Don the number 37 jumper distinguished by Neil Peart and Daniel Hargraves. Stevo was named as an emergency in round 12 1998. Alas he failed to play in the seniors over two seasons but was an integral cog in the Bulldogs VFL premiership side of 1998. Robert Stevenson finished with 110 reserves matches to his name. Throughout his career the man kept those big wheels turnin'. |
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