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| Eastern Ranges midfielder/forward Jaidyn Stephenson will bring an x-factor to the Magpies' line-up. Image: AFL Photos. |
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height: 189cm
Weight: 75kg
Born: 15/01/1999
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Profile
A graduate of NAB AFL Academy, Stephenson is a medium midfielder or forward with line-breaking speed, who is strong overhead and a long, accurate kick for goal. His 28 disposals and five-goal performance against South Australia in the NAB AFL U18 Championships was a highlight. He topped off an outstanding year with a best-on-ground performance in the All Star game at the MCG on Grand Final day, as well as showcasing his athletic potential at the Draft Combine. Successfully transitioned from a forward role into the midfield late in the TAC Cup season and enjoyed a strong patch of form for the Ranges.
Did you know?
- Stephenson and a few of his friends started their own men’s apparel brand – Class Above.
- He played basketball, tennis, cricket and karate before his AFL ambition
- His sister Tegan is a promising netballing talent, who has made the under-17 national squad.
“Jaidyn is just a natural, instinctive player who is a match winner. He can go forward and kick goals, can play through the midfield or a wing and has been averaging 25 possessions. In one of the national championship games for Vic Metro, he had 25 touches and kicked five goals off a wing. He is ready to go as an AFL player despite still being pretty light. He has some serious x-factor and has things going for him that not a lot of players have. I’d expect he’ll be among the top 10.” – Darren Bewick (Eastern Rangers coach), Inside Football, November 2017.
“I think absolutely, he’s got cult hero written all over him. I definitely think the fans will like him because he’s going to shoot onto the scene pretty quickly and have an impact in terms of his goal scoring prowess and different types of things he bring to the game. He’s not just your meat and potatoes type of footballer, he’s something pretty special, he’s your three-course meal.” – Len Villani (Eastern Rangers talent manager), Knox Leader, 16 November 2017
"On medical advice that we've received there is no risk in picking Jaidyn Stephenson in this year's draft. The information that has been received and handed to the AFL clearly states that the specialists are happy for Jaidyn to enter the AFL and have a long career,” – Robbie D’Orazio (Stephenson’s Manager – Connor Sports Management), afl.com.au, 14 November 2017
“He is quick and sharp and nimble, he has a good leap, and he loves to dash away with the ball. He'll start his career in the forward line and is capable of kicking bags when given some space,” – Callum Twomey (AFL Draft Guru), afl.com.au, 22 November 2017
“The X-factor option in the 2017 draft, Stephenson has developed into a midfielder with Eastern Ranges this season. His 39-disposal performance against Sandringham certainly caught the eye. At 189cm, the youngster has plenty of upside and could be a surprise selection depending on the club,” – Ben Higgins (Journalist), Herald Sun, 19 October 2017
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| Collingwood has selected Sandringham Dragons forward Nathan Murphy with Pick No. 39 in the 2017 National Draft. Image: AFL Photos. |
Position: Forward
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
Born: 15/12/1999
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Profile
Medium forward with excellent natural leap for the ball, Murphy is a strong overhead and is a clean mark out in front. An agile and versatile type with good goal sense, Murphy was a prolific goal scorer at Brighton Grammar before playing for the Dragons. Outstanding cricketer having represented Victoria at underage level. Ran the 2km time trial in 6:21 at the Combine, which placed him among the best performers.
Did you know?
- Murphy was an elite young cricketer, before opting to pursue an AFL career.
What they say
“He’s a bit of a loveable larrikin that comes from cricket. He can play forward and back as a third tall and potentially if he builds up his tank, he can push into midfield with his athleticism. His endurance, agility and recovery are very good and he’s really aware of those around him. I think he’s a natural defender who can go forward and he gets in the right spots,” – Ryan O’Connor (Sandringham Dragons Talent manager), Inside Football, November 2017
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| Son of Collingwood great Gavin and brother of Collingwood midfielder Callum, father/son draftee Tyler Brown joins the Pies with pick no. 50 in the 2017 draft. |
Position: Midfielder
Height: 189cm
Weight: 81kg
Born: 09/12/1999
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Profile
Developing medium midfielder with elite agility. Brown shows poise with the football in hand and has massive upside physicality. Mixed football between Marcellin College and Eastern Ranges. Brother to Callum Brown and son of former Collingwood star Gavin Brown. Much like his dad, the 17-year-old is a skilful wingman who isn’t a big talker. The Magpies nominated Brown under the father-son rule.
What they say
"He's very much like Gavin, in that he's a shy boy, very introverted in the way he goes about his business, but like his old man, he has a lot of ability. I think he'll end up playing on the wing like Gavin because he's got some attributes that really stand out. He's got good pace, he's a good size, a beautiful step and (has good) awareness,” - Darren Bewick (Eastern Rangers coach), afl.com.au, 16 October 2017
“In the past six to 12 months, he has really started to grow into his body. His talent is untapped, he has a massive ceiling in terms of where he could potentially get to. He just does AFL things, there are things he does in games, I call it having the ‘Brown brain’…His movement and ability in and out of traffic is similar to Cal,” – Len Villani (Eastern Rangers talent manager), Manningham Leader, 15 June 2017
“Tyler is a developing midfielder with a good turn in traffic. At 186cm, he is taller than both his older brother and father. He’s shown at times throughout this season that he certainly looks like he’s AFL capable. He’s very sure with ball in hand and makes really good decisions,” – Derek Hine (Collingwood’s National Recruiting Manager), afl.com.au, 25 October 2017
Comments by National Recruiting Manager Derek Hine
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Nathan Murphy (pick 39) and Jaidyn Stephenson (pick
6) pose after being drafted to Collingwood at the 2017 National Draft.
Image: AFL Photos.
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At least that’s how Collingwood’s National Recruiting Manager Derek Hine defined it.
Heading into the 2017 AFL National Draft with four picks to choose from – including the club's first top-ten pick since 2014, as well as a father/son prospect on the draft board - Collingwood’s recruiting team had some big decisions to make.
Ultimately, when the night concluded, three new names were penciled into the club's history books.
“It was a draft like no other,” Hine told Collingwood Media following the draft proceedings.
“I think the amount of picks and the evenness of the draft, was really unique.
“You could see that with the amount of players jumping forward and jumping back (on the draft board).
PICK 6 – JAIDYN STEPHENSON
With Collingwood’s first selection in the 2017 draft, the club selected Eastern Ranges midfielder/forward, Jaidyn Stephenson.
Known for his line-breaking speed and long, accurate kick at goal, Stephenson was a standout amongst the 2017 draft candidates.
Described by his colleagues and coaches as an ‘x-factor’ and ‘match-winner’, Stephenson will waste little time winning over the Magpie faithful, and his new Collingwood teammates.
“We backed that in. It’s not a decision we took lightly,” Hine said of his first selection.
“We’re really confident he’ll be a good player for us. We couldn’t be happier for Jaidyn, his family and the club.”
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| Nathan Buckley and pick 6 Jaidyn Stephenson. |
With the club’s second selection in the 2017 draft, the Pies picked versatile forward Nathan Murphy.
A strong overhead mark with clean hands, the former Sandringham Dragons prospect impressed recruiters with his agility, endurance and goal sense for a player of his size.
Having previously represented Victoria in cricket, this elite sportsman was among the best performers at the draft combine. Has the ability to swing into defence, as well as playing as a third tall in attack.
“We clearly rated Nathan really highly, so for him to be sitting there at pick 39, that was a real bonus for us,” Hine said of his new forward post-draft.
“I think (Nathan’s pick) was really systematic of how the draft went. Some players went forward where other clubs may not have had them, and visa versa.
“In the end, it was really fortunate for us that he was still available.”
PICK 50 – TYLER BROWN
With Tyler Brown’s name still on the draft board in round three, things seemed as if they were going to plan for the Magpies’ recruiters.
But when Port Adelaide placed a bid with pick 50 for Collingwood’s father/son hopeful, the Pies were pressed to make a move on the 17-year-old son of Magpie great, Gavin Brown.
The brother of current Collingwood midfielder Callum Brown could moments later breathe a sigh of relief, with Collingwood matching Port Adelaide’s bid to continue the Brown tradition at the Pies.
A raw midfielder full of potential, Tyler possess elite agility and poise in the contest.
“Tyler is a very different player to Callum, who is a very inside player with his hands. Tyler is taller – above 185cm – he plays on a wing, he’s very well balanced and slides through traffic,” Hine said of the newest Brown joining the Pies.
“Tyler has a long way to go, in terms of maturity in his body. He clearly has the talent, but we’re just going to have to be patient.
“He’s quiet, but he’ll be fine. He’s got his brother there and he’s his own man. He knows his way around the place, that’s for sure.”
Collingwood will now turn its attention to the National Rookie Draft, set to be held on Monday 27 November.
