ARCHIE Stevens knows to make his AFL dream become a reality he must work on all facets of his game and fitness.
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That's why the South Warrnambool teenager is using two south-west coaches - athletics mentor Jeremy Dixon and boxing guru Rodney 'Rudy' Ryan - to enhance his draft chances.
Stevens, who is eligible to be drafted in 2021, told The Main Break podcast he'd improved his speed off the mark.
Listen to this week's The Main Break podcast with teenager Archie Stevens:
"I knew it myself but dad (Sam) was a big pusher in developing my speed and off-the-mark quickness that both me and George could get better at," he said.
"He got in touch with Jeremy and he was great in terms of giving us little tips and techniques in how we can get faster because if you can break the game open and give yourself more time, you can be more damaging.
"It was an area I needed to develop and I am happy to say that there's a bit of improvement but there's still a long way to go."
Boxing classes have helped Stevens better his stamina.
"Jay Rantall (now at Collingwood)...was a big believer in boxing helping," he said.
"He got me into doing more of that and Rude Ryan has been awesome, unbelievable helping me out whenever I've needed it or giving me tips.
"I try to do as much boxing as I can because it's a good little extra off the legs."
Stevens' dedication to football is evident in his training regime.
"A lot of the week is taken up by training but I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
"I have a goal in mind of where I want to get to so I see it as doing everything I can to get there.
"If you talk to my parents (Sam and Natalie) it's probably too much and I probably should be studying.
"But I think they admire in a way what I am trying to pursue."
Stevens, a midfielder in the mould of Collingwood's Adam Treloar and Adelaide's Rory Sloane, works closely with younger brother George.
"It's been unbelievable. I am so lucky to have that, he's my brother and my best mate," he said
"Everyday I am just so lucky not just to work with him but to be able to share those moments and push each other to get better.
"It's really good to have someone like that."
The pair, who go to Emmanuel College, worked in tandem to improve during the footy hiatus earlier this year.
"We live just up the hill from South so we were lucky in terms of we had easy access to the ground and we just continued our running," Stevens said.
"That was a big thing. Footy is a simple game and you've got to be able to work hard."
South Warrnambool is laden with NAB League and VFL talent in its under 18.5 ranks with Stevens describing the intensity they brought to training as "infectious".
Stevens said Marcus Herbert was the Roosters' x-factor while Fraser Marris inspired with his hard work.
"Marcus is a strong, dynamic, evasive player and if you talk about x-factor, he's probably got it, he's great to watch," he said.
"I have always seen what Fraser can do in terms of how fit he is and his ball-winning ability, I have always admired that side of it."