The 2014 winner stormed home ahead of David Flood and Dean Dobric at the Albury Sportsground on Saturday, as he stepped up preparations for next year’s Olympics in Rio.

“I had a bit of self confidence knowing I could do it again,” Stevens said.

“Winning it twice is a feat I’m really proud of.

“I was stoked to make the final.

“I was back in the field so making the final alone was an achievement.”

Running from a handicap of 2.5-metres, Stevens caught the frontmarkers with 30m to go to claim the $6000 title in 12.404-seconds.

He didn’t need a photo finish like he did when he won the 120m title as a 19-year-old.

But he did need to put on the after-burners late in the race.

“The last part of the race is always my strongest,” Stevens said.

“I felt if I could get the best start as possible it would put me in contention for the win and everything paid off.”

Stevens only started running to improve his football fitness for Hoppers Crossing.

But he’s hoping his indefinite break from football, and tennis, can help him reach the Olympics in the 400m or 200m, or both.

Stevens already has a taste of life on the big stage, having represented Australia in the 4x400m world relay championships in the Bahamas in May this year.

“I’m a bit of a late developer, so I need to get a bit stronger and with a bit of luck that can help my times even more,” he said.

Stevens’ Werribee-based coach, John Henry, agrees.

“It was a very good run,” Henry said.

“He made up so much ground over the last 30m.

“There were some good runners in that final and in the whole field.” 

Henry said the future was bright for his stable star. 

”He’s improving each year and he needs to,” he said.

“All the time we are working on qualifying guys for the 200 and 400 for Rio.

“From now on we’ll start running a few more 400s and 200s.

“He’s still learning and you never stop learning.”