"It's all just a bit about more learning and getting a few years older."
Come 2pm tomorrow, the stocky midfielder will again try to maintain his goal-scoring streak against Wellington Olympic in their Lotto Central League match in Napier.
The former Hastings Boys' High School pupil, who made his debut for the Blues as a 15-year-old, has redefined his template on fitness in the past two seasons.
"I just put it down to knowing a little bit more about what roles to play ... and the style of play."
Having consistency in the squad and coaching stable also add towards that sense of accomplishment.
Finding a niche within a demanding Rovers matrix keeps everyone honest.
"We're quite an aggressive, in-your-face kind of team. You know, we look to win back balls in the right areas and quickly, so it's quite fast and crazy for a while and once we have possession we relax a little bit to play with a bit more width."
No doubt, he credits the collective factor although he doesn't think he's been doing things any different.
"Obviously there's a bit more pressure on a few more players to score more goals but it'll be good if I keep getting a few."
Stevenson primarily has the licence to spread his wings on the left flank although he isn't shy to swap with whoever is on the right just to keep the opposition Beefeaters on their toes.
"I'm quite happy playing that role upfront to be a target man or whatever, but that's what suits the team right now."
Stevenson relishes pouncing on any delightful crumbs English import Saul Halpin chucks his way now that striker Angus Kilkolly has left for Lithuania.
He hastens to add they don't always reward Halpin's hard work.
Stevenson is among those who "mucked it up" just last weekend in their 3-2 away victory over Western Suburbs.
"Saul's the best in the league for changing pace and beating players."
Having lost a game, 3-1 away to Stop Out on May 28, has cranked up the pressure on the Bill Robertson-coached Blues although Stevenson points out it isn't any different considering their self-imposed ambition of retaining the Central League crown, winning the Chatham Cup and keeping the O'Brien Challenge Shield at the Park Island clubrooms.
"We're probably under more pressure now because points matter and we're only just a point off them [Greeks]," he says.
Needless to say, the hosts have readjusted their season's focus and are tweaking their blueprint.
"We've made some changes and things are looking pretty good."
Those modifications, he reveals, evolve around attitude and shrugging off any wrinkles of complacency that may have crept in through a purple patch.
"You know, the quality of the league is a lot better than last year when we didn't have to perform in some games and still come away with a 5-nil result.
"This year, if we don't perform we're going to get beat so that's probably one of the bigger changes we've had since the loss a few weeks back [against Stop Out]," he says.
The passion and pride of the Olympics aren't lost on Stevenson or Robertson, the coach mindful Olympics counterpart Stu Jacobs is doing his magic.
"They are stronger than the last time we played against them and we were lucky to come away with a win," he says of the 2-1 away win on April 9.
Winning tomorrow is vital because the following Sunday the Rovers host Miramar Rangers in a cup match.
With the balmy winter, he believes it will suit the Blues as the visitors are used to windy conditions on "a sticky plastic turf".
ROUND 11 DETAILS
For the Lotto Central League football matches at the weekend:
WHO: Napier City Rovers v Wellington Olympic.
WHEN: Tomorrow, 2pm.
WHERE: Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, Napier.
REFEREE: Referee: John Rowbury.
AR1/AR2: Not confirmed at HB Today deadline.
NAPIER CITY ROVERS: 1. Kyle Baxter (GK), 2. Daniel Ball, 3. Harry Morton, 4. Rob Pearson, 8. Ryan Tinsley, 10. Saul Halpin, 11. Tom Biss, 14. Josh Stevenson, 15. Jim Hoyle, 16. Danny Wilson (c), 17. Fergus Neil, 18. Ross Willox, 19. Bill Robertson, 21. Scott Dunn (RGK).
Player/coach: Bill Robertson.
Ast coach: Chris Greatholder.
WELLINGTON OLYMPIC: 1. Scott Basalaj (GK), 2. Tapfuma Dimario, 4. Jacob Masseurs, 5. Blake Weston, 6. Gonzalo Amado, 7. Juan Chang, 8. Kieran Paterson, 9. Gianni Bouzoukis, 10. Jimmy Haidakis, 11 Sam Blackburn, 13. Chas Lawrence, 15. Dylan Wood, 16. Alex Palezevic, 19. Sean Morris, 20 Mario Barcia, 23. Birhanu Taye, 24. Alexis Soudain, Washington Bgoni (RGK).
Coach: Stu Jacobs.
Other games
All today unless stated otherwise:
2.30pm: Miramar Rangers v Western Suburbs at David Farrington Park, Wellington.
2.30pm: Stop Out v Petone at Hutt Park 1.
2.30pm: Wellington United v Palmerston North Marist at Newtown Park, Wellington.
3pm tomorrow: Lower Hutt City v Wairarapa Utd at Fraser Park Turf, Wellington.
Golden boot
After round 10 of matches last weekend:
13: Sam Mason-Smith (Wairarapa Utd).
9: Micky Malivuk (Stop Out), Nathanial Hailemariam (Lower Hutt).
8: Noah Billingsley (Western Suburbs).
7: Angus Kilkolly (Napier City Rovers).
6: Rauri Cahill-Fleury (Wellington Utd).
Standings (last 2 teams have only played nine games): Rovers 23pts, Olympic 22, Miramar 20, Western Suburbs 18, Stop Out 16, Wairarapa 14, Wellington Utd 11, Lower Hutt City 7, Palmerston North Marist 5, Petone 1.
