Past #3 Dylan Stephens

[Kennedy Parker]

Dylan Stephens
The Sydney Swans used their first pick five since Jarrad McVeigh

Jarrad Mcveigh

Age

39

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.3

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.1

5star

MG

327.8

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

in 2002 to lock in a talented midfielder from South Australian club Norwood at the 2019 AFL Draft. Dylan Stephens

15

Dylan Stephens

Age

23

Ht

184cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

is a prolific ball-winner and creative user of the footy by hand and foot. He played predominantly on a wing in the early matches of the 2019 AFL Under-18 Championships before starring on the inside in the final match, gathering 33 disposals in a best-on-ground performance. A penetrating left-footer, he averaged 23.8 disposals and 4.8 tackles across the 2019 AFL Under-18 Championships and was rewarded with All Australian honours. He also played some excellent football at senior level with Norwood, averaging 18.2 disposals and 4.6 tackles in 12 matches. Stephens enjoyed a breakout season for the Bloods in 2020 with a memorable AFL debut in Round 6 against Richmond alongside fellow debutant, Chad Warner

1

Chad Warner

Age

22

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

4star

CL

0.0

1star

. Stephens finished the campaign with eight appearances, averaging 12.5 disposals and 3.4 marks per game, while also kicking two goals.

Dylan Stephens

15

Dylan Stephens

Age

23

Ht

184cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

DOB: 08 January 2001
DEBUT: 2020
DRAFT: #5, 2019 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Red Cliffs (Vic)/Walkerville (SA)/St Peter's College (SA)/Norwood (SANFL)

Dylan Stephens | AFL

Follow Dylan Stephens's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[tombomb]

Took the big money deal at North which I can understand but he probably may have been better taking 2 years at a mid-table club like the Crows where he can get a game but still has some support around him. Gonna be a long few years struggling away, especially if out of favour with Clarko.

Who knows with the money ...

... but from a purely football perspective, he should have re-signed with us when we were trying to get him to commit at the beginning of last year.

 

[tombomb]

I thought it was the right decision for Stephens to find a new club. I felt that Mcinerney, Campbell and Gulden were better precise attacking kickers. So he might not have got many opportunities. And there was also Mitchell and Corey Warner trying to get games as wingers.

North seem to have a toxic fanbase. They deliberately bottomed out. But got stuck there as perpetual losers. Then all their high draft picks gave their fans delusions that they will suddenly start dominating other sides and winning flags. Also their fans love a Cunnington style of player that thrives on physical contact. Which Stephens is not.

But a 4 year contract at a weaker team means he should have plenty of time to break back into the best 22. North will have injuries and need to rest their younger players. So his future is what he makes of it.

Also wonder whether he should explore different positional roles. It is probably easier to get lost on the wing in a bottom side because no-one is giving you the ball. And there is not much of a forward structure to kick to. I don't think Stephens was ever rated as a precise kicker of the ball. Maybe try to play like James Jordan, be a half forward flanker that supports the midfield at the contest. And then use his tank to surge forward. Might allow him to win ball and play instinctively. Rather than aimless running up and down the wing.

I think if Stephens' decision to leave was based around him thinking he wouldn't get opportunity with us, then that is part of his problem.

He wasn't in a JPK type scenario where he was stuck behind Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis and Sewell. There was plenty of opportunity for him if he was good enough.

 

[rustycrate]

I think if Stephens' decision to leave was based around him thinking he wouldn't get opportunity with us, then that is part of his problem.

He wasn't in a JPK type scenario where he was stuck behind Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis and Sewell. There was plenty of opportunity for him if he was good enough.

Maybe he wasn't and he realized it. Must be tough for players on the fringe. I think we have a few players on our list that are going to face that decision in the next few years. If you are not regularly playing 1s then you will be having a look elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that. Every worker faces the same decision.

 

[the hypnotoad]

I don’t think North deliberately bottomed out.

Instead, I don’t think they’ve ever recovered from the Carey / Stevens scandal.

and some shite coaches
brad scott top of the list ... arguably he was in charge when they went from finalist to laughing stock

 

[tombomb]

Maybe he wasn't and he realized it. Must be tough for players on the fringe. I think we have a few players on our list that are going to face that decision in the next few years. If you are not regularly playing 1s then you will be having a look elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that. Every worker faces the same decision.

I think it is a huge mistake for Stephens, at his age, to basing such an important decision around where it will be easier to get a game.

Money, I get. I wouldn't criticise anyone making a decision based on that in his situation.

But moving to North because he thought it was too hard to get a game for us was a terrible decision and it will cost his career in a couple of years, if it hasn't already.

 

[rustycrate]

I think it is a huge mistake for Stephens, at his age, to basing such an important decision around where it will be easier to get a game.

Money, I get. I wouldn't criticise anyone making a decision based on that in his situation.

But moving to North because he thought it was too hard to get a game for us was a terrible decision and it will cost his career in a couple of years, if it hasn't already.

I'm not so sure about that.
1. He is regularly playing 1s.
2. He is probably being paid more.
3. He would probably be behind a few mids who have some qualities he doesn't including Sheldrick, Mitchell, Corey and Cleary. Next year after another draft/trade period it could get worse. We are also stacked with quality on the sidelines like Mills, Parker and even Campbell is on the outer.
4. He has a four year contract. We would not have offered that.

I think he read the tea leaves correctly.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Not his fault we picked him at 5. If he was pick 45, poor guy would be left alone as little to no expectations.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I'm not so sure about that.
1. He is regularly playing 1s.
2. He is probably being paid more.
3. He would probably be behind a few mids who have some qualities he doesn't including Sheldrick, Mitchell, Corey and Cleary. Next year after another draft/trade period it could get worse. We are also stacked with quality on the sidelines like Mills, Parker and even Campbell is on the outer.
4. He has a four year contract. We would not have offered that.

I think he read the tea leaves correctly.

Agree with this. I think Stephens made the right call. He would have been overtaken this year. The only games he might have played were the ones co.warner played. I wouldn't have had him ahead of anyone else who got a game I'm 2024.

He made the right call. He's just not good enough. At least he got another 4 years out of himself. It would have likely been 2 and dome with us as others overtook him.

 

[tombomb]

I'm not so sure about that.
1. He is regularly playing 1s.
2. He is probably being paid more.
3. He would probably be behind a few mids who have some qualities he doesn't including Sheldrick, Mitchell, Corey and Cleary. Next year after another draft/trade period it could get worse. We are also stacked with quality on the sidelines like Mills, Parker and even Campbell is on the outer.
4. He has a four year contract. We would not have offered that.

I think he read the tea leaves correctly.

I am sure he is being paid more but that isn't what I was talking about.

I am talking about where Stephens would have developed best as a player. And I haven't seen any evidence of how he is going to improve as a player mucking around on the edges at North, compared to being with us.

He played the first 7 games for us last year before being dropped. The same has happened with North. Brilliant.

If his goal is to eek out as much money as possible in the next couple of years before it is realised he is no good, then he made the right decision. But if his goal is to have a long AFL career, then it was a terrible decision to leave us to go to North.

 

[Maddo11]

Four years is a long time in footy. If you were on Rookie money in the most expensive city in the country and weren't offered more than one or two years, but someone offered four years on a modest pay increase to live somewhere cheaper, it's a pretty easy choice.

Also say he doesn't set the world on fire and north don't offer to extend, he's got half a dozen other local opportunities to get on a list, even if he only ends up playing magoos.

 

[BloodySwan]

Stephens is building an 8yr career off of what was a good junior year before he got drafted. Only getting this ride because he was a top 5 draft pick.

He had plenty of opportunity and will have plenty more to build on top of the 8 years.

 

[Donza]

We have a former pick 6 running around in the VFL and no one bats a eyelid.

The whole covid /draft/ development was so inconsistent it's really hard to get a realistic read.

Reality is. He's simply not that good.
It happens.
The draft is littered with players that bust from picks 1-10

Thank F the swans have a uncanny knack to pick up gold near the half century.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I think David King hit the nail on the head when he described Dyl as a “loper”.

The game has changed & the days of pure endurance athletes like Tom Scully

21

Tom Scully

Age

32

Ht

181cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.7

5star

K

9.9

4star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.5

5star

CL

2.3

4star

D

12.6

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

5.1

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.1

2star

CL

0.8

3star

D

19.8

5star

K

8.8

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

4.6

5star

CL

3.8

5star

going in the top 5 of the draft are seemingly gone.

Dylan has endurance & reasonable skills - but the modern game seems to also demand a burst of speed, particularly for outside mids.

I suspect he was a pick 5 for AFL footy of 10 years ago.
But a pick 35 for the current game.

 

[Tedeski]

We have a former pick 6 running around in the VFL and no one bats a eyelid.

The whole covid /draft/ development was so inconsistent it's really hard to get a realistic read.

Reality is. He's simply not that good.
It happens.
The draft is littered with players that bust from picks 1-10

Thank F the swans have a uncanny knack to pick up gold near the half century.

We are lucky we have the academy to pick our stars from.
Rampe, Lloyd, Warner, Florent, Hayward, Melican.
Blessed.

 

[sataris]

I can't remember what it is, but there is some crazy figure out there that says on average, only 4 of every 10 top 10 picks will go on to play a 100 games... This is not unique to the Swans, it's just what happens when you pick 19yro boys with a view for the future.

That dude who used to be a moderator with RW and had a thing about being drunk and reading posts with fish puns told us... Can't for the life of me think of his name, but I'm thinking he was from WA (God only knows why I think this), and had a vault full of facts (???). So with all that creditable backing, it MUST be true!

swansfan51 in shambles.

 

[Tippett2Goal]

I’ll forever wonder what could have been.

Confidence means a lot - and I can’t help but think it took a massive hit in his tenure at the Swans.

Being dropped after solid performances time & time again surely must impact.

I feel a bit for Dylan - as I still believe he’s better than what he’s shown.

But I suppose what you show on the park is ultimately all that counts.

He might be, but the common criticism of him as a Swan was that he was soft / didn't work hard enough off the ball.

Those characteristics probably stand out even more in a team that is poorly performing and can't feed him the ball to use it well. So they'll see a lot more of half hearted defensive "efforts", and less good ball use / vision.

Dropped from that North side though and then not pulling any real numbers in the VFL, suggests maybe he has taken the chance to slack off on a 4 year deal without senior leaders to even try drive his performance.

 

[Kirkswan]

swansfan51 in shambles.

I knew you would know...

 

[sataris]

I knew you would know...