Selected by Collingwood with the sixth pick at the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, few players immediately set the AFL alight like Jaidyn Stephenson did in his first season.

Stephenson was nominated for the NAB Rising Star after a 17 disposal, 3 goal performance in Round 4, he went on to win the award with 52 votes, 10 clear of second-placed Tom Doedee.

Playing all 26 games of his debut campaign, his role as a small, one-out forward proved crucial to Collingwood’s run to the Grand Final, where he kicked two goals in the loss to West Coast.

Illness and personal issues saw him miss parts of the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, before a trade to North Melbourne eventuated on the final day of the 2020 trade period.

North Melbourne Debut: Round 1, 2021
Career Brownlow Votes: 6

2021: Upon arriving at North Melbourne, Stephenson cited the opportunity to gain more time in the midfield as a contributing factor to his move, with the third-year player now amongst one of the most experienced on North Melbourne’s young list.

He hit the ground running with an exceptional Round 1 performance against Port Adelaide, before a wrist injury suffered against Collingwood curtailed the middle of his season.

Stephenson’s best performance of the year came in Round 18’s victory over West Coast, where he registered 38 disposals and a goal in the ten-point win.