Kaine Stevens has earned selection in the NEAFL Eastern Conference representative side. Photo: Ben Southall
HE’S still four months shy of his 20th birthday but Queanbeyan Tigers teenager Kaine Stevens is already well-versed in dealing with the highs and lows of top flight footy.
As such the supremely talented midfielder is keeping his feet firmly on the ground following his selection last week in the NEAFL Eastern Conference representative team.
The side will take on their Northern Conference rivals in a one-off clash on the Gold Coast this weekend. Stevens is one of five Tigers to have earned selection in the side alongside Toby Conroy, Josh Bryce, Kade Klemke and late call-up Ryan Quade.
Queanbeyan’s Jarrod Atkinson and James Kavanagh declined invitations to turn-out for the side.
At just 19, Stevens is the youngest member of the Eastern Conference line-up by nearly two years and was called up for the senior side despite still being eligible to represent at under-21s level.
Stevens’ brilliant form this year has been one of the highlights of the Tigers early season run that has seen the club surge to the top of the Eastern Conference ladder.
But having already had his AFL dreams dashed once before in his young career, Stevens isn’t buying into speculation that his representative selection could be a precursor to even higher honours.
For the full story see this Friday's edition of The Queanbeyan Age.