Destination unknown

THE immediate playing future of young Queanbeyan Tigers star Kaine Stevens remains uncertain with the Alex Jesaulenko medallist the target of a number of inter-state clubs.

Stevens was named as the Tigers best and fairest at the club’s annual presentation night last Friday after a brilliant season that also saw him included in the NEAFL Eastern Conference team of the year.

But while Queanbeyan will be desperate to keep the 20-year-old at Dairy Farmers Park in 2013, Stevens confirmed to The Age this week that he is still weighing up his options for next season.

“There has been some interest from other clubs, I’ve been getting a few phone calls here and there which is always interesting,” Stevens said.

“I’ve definitely contemplated moving so it hasn’t been decided if I’ll be with Queanbeyan next year yet. I was going to go last year but decided to stay so nothing has been confirmed yet at this stage.”

Should Stevens leave Queanbeyan, it is understood he will most likely link-up with an Adelaide based club in the SANFL.

The Tigers were always going to find themselves in a battle to retain the key midfielder after his rise to prominence in the NEAFL this season.

In May, Stevens was included in the Eastern Conference representative side before playing a major role in Queanbeyan’s title charge. The apprentice carpenter by trade was named as best on ground in the Tigers grand final win against the Sydney Swans.

“I got pretty lucky this year with a few things but it’s a lot easier to have a good year when you’ve got good players playing well around you,” Stevens said of his bumper season.

Stevens was previously part of the Greater Western Sydney program as an 18-year-old but was released by the club in 2010. 

In the Tigers remaining first grade awards, Toby Conroy was named as Queanbeyan’s most consistent while Will Griggs and Ben King shared the award as most determined. Neil Irwin received the NEAFL club award.