Born and bread in the Territory, Joel Stevens played the majority his junior football for the Waratah Football Club, progressing his way up the grades until he made his Men’s Premier League debut in Round 1 of the 2018/19 NTFL season. Stevens then continued his quality performances, going on to accumulate 17 games and receiving the Rising Star nomination for his efforts in Round 16. After being named joint-captain of the Under 18 NT Thunder Academy team, Stevens was rewarded for his efforts on and off the field when he made his NEAFL debut in Round 8, 2019.