Jaidyn Stephenson came across from Collingwood after a stellar early career, winning the Rising Star award and fulfilling a lot of his junior potential as a dangerous small forward. Since his move to North Melbourne, however, his journey has stagnated like it has seemed to do for several journeymen who end up in the royal blue and white. Is it the Kangaroos' development staff who are at fault, or is it the quality of the players they attract to a minnow club? Stephenson still has major upside, but perhaps a move to half back in the VFL will kickstart his game to earn a best 22 spot.
Jaidyn Stephenson came across from Collingwood after a stellar early career, winning the Rising Star award and fulfilling a lot of his junior potential as a dangerous small forward. Since his move to North Melbourne, however, his journey has stagnated like it has seemed to do for several journeymen who end up in the royal blue and white. Is it the Kangaroos' development staff who are at fault, or is it the quality of the players they attract to a minnow club? Stephenson still has major upside, but perhaps a move to half back in the VFL will kickstart his game to earn a best 22 spot.
Jaidyn Stephenson is probably the poster boy for all that has gone wrong for North Melbourne. Brought in after an extremely promising start to his career at Collingwood, he has struggled with injury and form, and looks to have stalled if not gone backwards in his time at Arden St. His current role off a half back flank is about as easy as it gets for a league footballer the way he plays it, as his defensive work is poor and he has a tendency to sheepdog the packs. Is he the problem, or is it the club around him that is stunting his growth? Perhaps a new coach might unlock his value.
Jaidyn Stephenson is one of a number of players who made their name at other clubs who have stagnated at their new digs in North Melbourne. Along with Jared Polec and Hugh Greenwood, when he has been selected in the senior side he has not delivered anywhere near the levels he did in his previous jumper. As a fantasy asset in a keeper league, you may have already ditched him, but is there any upside if you still have him, or is he worth picking him up from the free agent pool? You have to figure out if the problem is him, North's development or the coach. Or all three?
Stephenson's star risen
Without dwelling on Jaidyn Stephenson's 10-match betting scandal suspension, his play when on the park was excellent. Over 12 matches plus finals, the second-year speedster hit the scoreboard in all but two. He was one of a number of small forwards rotated through the goal square in an attempt to isolate them one-on-one, keeping defenders on their toes. Stephenson looked set to take his talents to another level until a bout of glandular fever struck in early December, an illness that you never like to hear about in a footballer as it can linger. When fit, his role is safe, so keep him on the watchlist and take Stephenson in the middle of the draft if he recovers quickly.
Jaidyn Stephenson has taken a back seat this season in the Collingwood forward line from a publicity point of view, with the returning Jamie Elliott and the wayward Jordan De Goey dominating the headlines. He started round 1 on the bench despite coming off a Rising Star campaign, and rightly so because those other two small forwards should still be rated higher than him. Opportunities to impress are as rare at the Pies for players in his position as they usually are, making him a very questionable fantasy asset. Sit back and watch his quality, even if quantity is lacking.
Raiding with Jaidyn
The 2018 Rising Star, Jaidyn Stephenson played every game in his debut season and delivered one of the most impressive displays of any first year player in recent times. He had no trouble adjusting to the rigours of the level with his best fantasy game a 25-possession, two-goal showing against Brisbane, but usually his stats were significantly lower as he started deep forward. Stephenson is an impact player with X-factor inside forward 50, and that’s likely where he’ll stay in 2019. Eyeing his second year and with another preseason under his belt, Stephenson is a chance to improve his average if he is gifted more minutes up the ground. This seem unlikely given the Pies' stacked midfield, and any centre rotations he does get probably won’t be enough to warrant a draft selection.
Flashback to Didak?
A move from half forward to inside midfield lifted Jaidyn Stephenson's disposal rate from 15 to 23 with three clearances and five inside 50s per game at TAC Cup level. Low kicking efficiency was the only part of his game preventing him being picked in the top five in last year's national draft. It would seem likely that if the Pies do play him early, Stephenson would cop a bit of Hugh McCluggage treatment and get stowed away on a HFF which would protect his body but limit his fantasy scoring. One to watch in future no doubt, just not this year in draft leagues.
