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

24

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

23

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

24

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

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Dylan always had the run & a solid left boot.

But he’s added something critical - composure (borne out of confidence).

He’s become a very good player & showing why he went pick 5.

 

[Ticky009]

Best game for us so far I think - and I know I wrote that earlier in this thread and I'm really really bloody pleased I can write it again.

Keep going kiddo!! You're doing bloody great.

 

[SSwans2011]

Imagine if someone told us halfway through the season that Stephens and Clarke would play the last 7 H&A games in a team that would go undefeated across those games and clinch top 4. Bloody awesome.

 

[Membling]

So consistency in the seniors was the key!

 

[Ticky009]

So consistency in the seniors was the key!

Not just that. Took time for him to strengthen up his body so he's not pushed out of the way, learn two way running and do it consistently and I feel his ball use has also improved a lot this year. Then there's the confidence that comes from playing seniors.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So consistency in the seniors was the key!

It's amazing isn't it this is why I hate this in-out thing we do and a lot of clubs do with young players give them 4 games.

 

[SwansProudly]

Dylan has kept his width on the wing.
He has allowed us to spread, giving choices from the backline.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Dylan has kept his width on the wing.
He has allowed us to spread, giving choices from the backline.

Also think he shows composure and that's something you can't coach, very little "dump" kicking.

 

[BloodySwan]

So consistency in the seniors was the key!

Taking opportunities is more important.

 

[S120]

I think one of the main things for Stephens to add has been consistency in his physical efforts as a wingman. His running power up and down the ground has always been reliable but he's getting involved in defensive efforts by way of sticking tackles, manning up on loose men in defence in transition and even helping in the air now and then. His confidence with ball is definitely improved as well but I reckon the coaches would have been wanting his physicality and reliability defensively to improve a lot and it has. Very pleased to see it.

 

[SwansProudly]

Also think he shows composure and that's something you can't coach, very little "dump" kicking.

Yes, last week's Great Wall segment, I thought Dylan was taking too long to get it out of our defence, but he summed it up so well, to be part of "play of the year", so far

 

[Bonz]

Not just that. Took time for him to strengthen up his body so he's not pushed out of the way, learn two way running and do it consistently and I feel his ball use has also improved a lot this year. Then there's the confidence that comes from playing seniors.

Strengthening the body was always going to be a key issue for Stephens, he was very undersized even at under 18's level.

AFL is a lot more physical and the players are strong (even compared to state level), very few players cannot compete at the level unless they have the strength/ fitness to back it up.


Another thing to remember, Stephens played predominantly inside as a junior (with some burst to the outside), he has been learning a new position for AFL level that best suits his talents, this was always going to take time.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yes, last week's Great Wall segment, I thought Dylan was taking too long to get it out of our defence, but he summed it up so well, to be part of "play of the year", so far

Really like how he's coming along.

 

[Bloods86]

I think caesar88 has summed it up well before. If we didn't take Dylan, and got Serong instead, we may not have gone for Warner later on. If Dyl can keep kicking on, maybe Serong has the better individual career, but it'd be a net win for us overall (of course we don't know who we might have picked later on). If Gould stays and establishes a spot in the 22 post-Rampe, it might turn into one of the great drafts for us. Imagine if we'd picked someone other than Taylor.

 

[caesar88]

I think caesar88 has summed it up well before. If we didn't take Dylan, and got Serong instead, we may not have gone for Warner later on. If Dyl can keep kicking on, maybe Serong has the better individual career, but it'd be a net win for us overall (of course we don't know who we might have picked later on). If Gould stays and establishes a spot in the 22 post-Rampe, it might turn into one of the great drafts for us. Imagine if we'd picked someone other than Taylor.

I said it at the time but I felt like 2019 we just really threw our precedent out the window and went the risky options.

Skinny wingman with a top 5 pick. Defender with noted fitness issues. Forward with noted personal issues.

Not the kind of low-risk, high-reward types we typically go for. But we clearly thought they were all talented types and their talent would be worth the risks. If Stephens continues on this path then I'd say the strategy was a pass-mark. If Gould comes good, then it gets an A from me.

 

[caesar88]

At the risk of sounding sadistic, I absolutely loved seeing him get his head ripped off a few times yesterday and just keeping his focus on the ball.

He is giving his all for the team right now and that is all you can ask of him.

 

[SSwans2011]

I said it at the time but I felt like 2019 we just really threw our precedent out the window and went the risky options.

Skinny wingman with a top 5 pick. Defender with noted fitness issues. Forward with noted personal issues.

Not the kind of low-risk, high-reward types we typically go for. But we clearly thought they were all talented types and their talent would be worth the risks. If Stephens continues on this path then I'd say the strategy was a pass-mark. If Gould comes good, then it gets an A from me.

And after his debut we all thought ET could have been our beat pick from that draft. Shame we couldn't predict that he would ultimately be shown to be a shit human.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

At the risk of sounding sadistic, I absolutely loved seeing him get his head ripped off a few times yesterday and just keeping his focus on the ball.

He is giving his all for the team right now and that is all you can ask of him.

Also getting the ball more meaning working both ways. Pushing forward too hitting the scoreboard a bit too

 

[LukeParkerno1]

And after his debut we all thought ET could have been our beat pick from that draft. Shame we couldn't predict that he would ultimately be shown to be a s**t human.

Yep. Can’t fault the recruiters there on talent he was right up there. Sometimes you take a risk and it fails but being risk adverse is worse

 

[Kiama Chris]

Strengthening the body was always going to be a key issue for Stephens, he was very undersized even at under 18's level.

AFL is a lot more physical and the players are strong (even compared to state level), very few players cannot compete at the level unless they have the strength/ fitness to back it up.


Another thing to remember, Stephens played predominantly inside as a junior (with some burst to the outside), he has been learning a new position for AFL level that best suits his talents, this was always going to take time.

That last is a very important point. While I believe he has been 100% committed to the game and the club I think the big breakthrough has been committing fully to playing winger, not inside. Almost game by game you can see him improving as he learns what that means. Maybe this year has been a breakthrough but I'm hoping that next year will be the breakout.

 

[Dangas]

Not going to lie. I was one of the critical supporters. I'm happy he has proven me wrong this year, his decision making has gotten alot better. Hope he performs finals time, along with Clarke as well.

 

[Ticky009]

Get stuffed SA, he's ours and we're keeping him.

 

[hairy biker]

Get stuffed SA, he's ours and we're keeping him.

Kudos to him.
Wasn't getting a game, easy option was to return to SA, but signed a new contract and has now earned a spot in our best 22.
Always enjoy seeing loyalty and effort rewarded.

 

[caesar88]

Get stuffed SA, he's ours and we're keeping him.

Very happy that he re-signed with us when he did last year. And a great example of how loyalty between player and club (both ways) can be rewarded.

I reckon he'll be like Florent. The pull home might've been there early (COVID-interrupted first season, lack of opportunities second season, Vic and SA clubs lurking) but the longer he's with us the less likely he'll want to leave. There were nerves Florent would want out early on because of his family circumstances, but they seem to have been dissolved more and more with each extension.

 

[CheapCharlie]

That first half against Melbourne, Stephens living up to his promise. So cool under pressure and making good decisions. Great goal running around the mark.
Stephens is going to be a Star for the Swans