Jaidyn Stephenson

Jaidyn Stephenson
Stephenson in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-01-15) 15 January 1999 (age 25)
Original team(s)
Draft No. 6, 2017 national draft
Debut Round 1, 2018, Collingwood vs. Hawthorn, at MCG
Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 78 kg (172 lb)
Position(s) Forward / midfielder
Club information
Current club North Melbourne
Number 2
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018–2020 Collingwood 54 (76)
2021–2024 North Melbourne 68 (56)
Total 122 (130)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Jaidyn Stephenson (born 15 January 1999) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), having been initially drafted to the Collingwood Football Club.

AFL career

He was drafted by Collingwood with their first selection and sixth overall in the 2017 national draft.[1] He made his debut in the 34-point loss to Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round 1 of the 2018 season.[2] His performance in the 48-point win against Adelaide in round four of the 2018 season—in which he recorded thirteen disposals, five goals, four marks and three tackles—earned him the round nomination for the AFL Rising Star.[3] Stephenson went on to win the 2018 AFL Rising Star after a successful first season in which he kicked 38 goals, making him the first Collingwood player to win the award.[4] Stephenson played in the 2018 AFL Grand Final kicking two goals in the first quarter, however Collingwood Football Club would ultimately lose by five points to the West Coast Eagles.

At the end of the 2020 AFL season, he was put up for trade by Collingwood to alleviate their salary cap, and was traded to North Melbourne on the final day of trade period.[5]

Stephenson who was moved to the midfield in his first season with North Melbourne in the 2021 AFL season was named to the 22under22 for the second and final time.[6]

After the 2024 AFL season, Stephenson retired at just 25 years of age, stating that he’d lost the passion to play.

Controversies

In 2019, Stephenson was suspended for the final 10 games of the home and away season, following revelations that he placed bets on Collingwood games. There was also a $20,000 fine imposed.[7]

In July 2021, Stephenson had a career high 38 disposals in a Round 17 win against the West Coast Eagles. Days later, he faced strong criticism for sharing his views that Covid-19 had been overblown by the media, and questioning vaccinations.[8]

In August 2021, Stephenson again came under fire by the media after being hospitalised from an accident on a mountain bike while drunk, which resulted in him fracturing his hip.[9]

Personal life

As of May 2021, Stephenson was studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University.[10]

Stephenson attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully. [11]

Stephenson grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Ferntree Gully and played junior football for Ferntree Gully Eagles in the Eastern Football League.[12]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to end of the 2024 season[13]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2018 Collingwood 35 26 38 24 205 115 320 101 75 1.5 0.9 7.9 4.4 12.3 3.9 2.9 2
2019 Collingwood 1 14 24 13 158 61 219 93 29 1.7 0.9 11.3 4.4 15.6 6.6 2.1 1
2020 Collingwood 1 14 14 10 85 47 132 47 25 1.0 0.7 6.1 3.4 9.4 3.4 1.8 0
2021 North Melbourne 2 19 17 19 249 119 368 109 48 0.9 1.0 13.1 6.2 19.4 5.7 2.6 3
2022 North Melbourne 2 16 3 5 192 97 289 67 42 0.2 0.3 12.0 6.1 18.1 4.2 2.6 0
2023 North Melbourne 2 21 26 10 146 80 226 75 41 1.2 0.5 7.0 3.8 10.8 3.6 2.0 0
2024 North Melbourne 2 12 8 0 106 46 152 51 20 0.7 0.0 8.8 3.8 12.7 4.3 1.7 0
Career 122 130 81 1141 565 1706 543 280 1.1 0.7 9.4 4.6 14.0 4.5 2.3 6

References

  1. ^ Ralph, Jon (24 November 2017). "Collingwood take risk on Jaidyn Stephenson at pick No.6 despite his heart condition". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  2. ^ Phelan, Jennifer (20 March 2018). "Bucks confirms debut pair in black and white". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  3. ^ Landsberger, Sam (16 April 2018). "Collingwood's Jaidyn Stephenson isn't worried about genetic heart condition as he earns Rising Star nod". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  4. ^ "AFL Rising Star award 2018: Jaidyn Stephenson becomes Collingwood's first winner". 31 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Trade raid: North loads up on pace with Magpie jets". AFL Media. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Stephenson named in 22Under22". 25 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Collingwood's Jaidyn Stephenson to miss 10 matches after betting on AFL games". ABC News. 19 June 2019.
  8. ^ AFL star in hot water over Covid criticism Herald Sun (subscription required)
  9. ^ Bruce, Jasper (28 August 2021). "Star hospitalised by alcohol-fuelled accident". News.com.au.
  10. ^ "Elite Athlete Program Profiles". Deakin University. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  11. ^ "St Joseph's College (FTG) on Instagram: "@jaidynlstephenson best wishes from all at St Joseph's College Ferntree Gully - we know you will continue to give 110%. Hope we see you as a member of the Premiership Team on Saturday. @collingwood_fc @accschoolsport"". Instagram. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  12. ^ In Focus: Jaidyn Stephenson & Luke McDonald (Presented by Mazda), 8 July 2021, retrieved 8 September 2023
  13. ^ "Jaidyn Stephenson". AFL Tables. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
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