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

 

[anotherletdown]

IF HE'S HALF AS GOOD AS BLACK WE WILL HAVE A STAR

If it makes sense, I think Simon Black was underrated. He was rated but he should be hailed as a god of the game, he had everything. Smooth moving, clean, efficient in everything he did and such an intelligent ball user. No fuss, all class. Dream of seeing a Swans player like that.
Stephens with his attributes and the right development is the only player we have with a hope of getting near that ideal... and it's still thousands to one

 

[dosser]

For some posters on here, the only time they will ever acknowledge Dyl's obvious talent is when another club wants to trade for him.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Slow burn, huge reward.

 

[Punts]

Simon black lol

Honestly

 

[bedford]

Simon black lol

Honestly

No one said he was , geez your more bitter than me

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Simon black lol

Honestly

I agree. The comparison to Simon Black is clearly absurd.

Dylan is far more akin to a combination of Judd, Goodes, Ablett Jr & Roberts-Thompson.

 

[rustycrate]

For some posters on here, the only time they will ever acknowledge Dyl's obvious talent is when another club wants to trade for him.

He has only played 30 games. Just starting. But he is there. These guys try their arses off to get there. Fans can think what they want. He will achieve or not despite them. It would be much better if people were more onboard than off board on the journey. Must be a sad existence doubting recruits who don't live up to your expectations in the first few years of their career when they are drafted high.

How do you rate a number 5 draft pick as a fan? You are the expert. You tell me. Plenty on here say he was or is not a number 5. Like they are experts.

Why not just judge him onfield. Just do that. What does he contribute to the team. If he is picked he is the best we have. If you are not satisfied with that then have a go at the recruiters. And then I can disagree with you there too. Forget his draft position. Keiren Jack, Papley, Rampe, even Wicks, Lloyd. These guys tried their guts out to get there. There are and were there. Why not just support them why they are there.

I don't get the negative Nellies. If you are a negative Nellie. Reply please.

 

[dosser]

He has only played 30 games. Just starting. But he is there. These guys try their arses off to get there. Fans can think what they want. He will achieve or not despite them. It would be much better if people were more onboard than off board on the journey. Must be a sad existence doubting recruits who don't live up to your expectations in the first few years of their career when they are drafted high.

How do you rate a number 5 draft pick as a fan? You are the expert. You tell me. Plenty on here say he was or is not a number 5. Like they are experts.

Why not just judge him onfield. Just do that. What does he contribute to the team. If he is picked he is the best we have. If you are not satisfied with that then have a go at the recruiters. And then I can disagree with you there too. Forget his draft position. Keiren Jack, Papley, Rampe, even Wicks, Lloyd. These guys tried their guts out to get there. There are and were there. Why not just support them why they are there.

I don't get the negative Nellies. If you are a negative Nellie. Reply please.

Good point, Rusty.

For mine (yes, mine) the higher the draft pick means the more of a chance of them playing a senior game. As a general rule, a pick 3 will probably have a higher chance of playing a senior game than a pick 23. However, it is not uncommon for a pick 23 to eventually be 'better' than a pick 3. What they do with the talent they have and if they will be better/worse than others in their draft is really a crap-shoot after the big day.

 

[scaryness]

You can only judge the selection after 3-4 years, I reckon, by going back and comparing a player to whoever else was available at our selection.
Remember too that these are young 17-18 year olds with lots of development and growth.
I reckon our selectors did pretty well from who was available.

1	Matt Rowell	Gold Coast	Oakleigh Chargers	NAB League
2	Noah Anderson	Gold Coast	Oakleigh Chargers	NAB League
3	Luke Jackson	Melbourne	East Fremantle	WAFL
4	Lachlan Ash	Greater Western Sydney	Murray Bushrangers	NAB League
5	Dylan Stephens	Sydney	Norwood	SANFL
6	Fischer McAsey	Adelaide	Sandringham Dragons	NAB League
7	Hayden Young	Fremantle	Dandenong Stingrays	NAB League
8	Caleb Serong	Fremantle	Gippsland Power	NAB League
9	Liam Henry	Fremantle	Claremont	WAFL
10	Tom Green*	Greater Western Sydney	Canberra Demons	NEAFL
11	Sam Flanders	Gold Coast	Gippsland Power	NAB League
12	Kysaiah Pickett	Melbourne	Woodville-West Torrens	SANFL
13	Will Day	Hawthorn	West Adelaide	SANFL
14	Miles Bergman	Port Adelaide	Sandringham Dragons	NAB League
15	Cody Weightman	Western Bulldogs	Dandenong Stingrays	NAB League
16	Cooper Stephens	Geelong	Geelong Falcons	NAB League
17	Brodie Kemp	Carlton	Bendigo Pioneers	NAB League
18	Mitch Georgiades	Port Adelaide	Subiaco	WAFL
19	Sam De Koning+	Geelong	Dandenong Stingrays	NAB League
20	Sam Philp	Carlton	Northern Knights	NAB League

Bolded I would take ahead of him instantly in hindisght, possibly the other Stephens as well but need to see more. I wasn't clued in on the draft that year (other than Rowell and Anderson were guns as 16 yos so that was obvious), so I can't pretend I knew much at the time tbf. At the time I was more than willing to give 5 away for Daniher though and would have done that again as well.

At least we didn't get Ash or McAsey who are genuine busts.

 

[Callipygian]

I mean Chad Warner got 29 and 2

Chad came good in junk time. But he was good player for us all year, including in the other finals.

 

[bedford]

WTF

 

[Kiama Chris]

Chad came good in junk time. But he was good player for us all year, including in the other finals.

From my observation Chad was competitive after Q1 but for sure got most of his stats when the Cats eased up.

 

[bedford]

From my observation Chad was competitive after Q1 but for sure got most of his stats when the Cats eased up.

But this is not the Chad thread , oops sorry

 

[hairy biker]

No Cookies | CODE Sports

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www.codesports.com.au

Article from today on Dylan.

“I’ve put on about three or four kilos since the grand final. It’s been good. That was probably my main focus over the break, to maintain my running power but also put on some size, to be stronger at the contest,” Stephen says.
“Geelong were a lot more physical and mature-bodied than us, so that was a focus for a lot of our playing group over the break.”

In the long-run, Stephens hopes putting on size allows him to spend regular time in the guts. But for now he is content being more of a receiver.
“I think I eventually want to be an inside-outside midfielder. But at the moment I’m mainly outside, especially with our midfield,” he says.

Stephens’ contract expires again at season’s end, and while he did not delve into specifics, he is adamant he sees a long-term future for himself at the club.
“Yeah. I think we all do. We’ve got a young core group that are a really close, tight-knit group of mates and it’s really awesome here.”

 

[caesar88]

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www.codesports.com.au

Article from today on Dylan.

“I’ve put on about three or four kilos since the grand final. It’s been good. That was probably my main focus over the break, to maintain my running power but also put on some size, to be stronger at the contest,” Stephen says.
“Geelong were a lot more physical and mature-bodied than us, so that was a focus for a lot of our playing group over the break.”

In the long-run, Stephens hopes putting on size allows him to spend regular time in the guts. But for now he is content being more of a receiver.
“I think I eventually want to be an inside-outside midfielder. But at the moment I’m mainly outside, especially with our midfield,” he says.

Stephens’ contract expires again at season’s end, and while he did not delve into specifics, he is adamant he sees a long-term future for himself at the club.
“Yeah. I think we all do. We’ve got a young core group that are a really close, tight-knit group of mates and it’s really awesome here.”

Such a difference in the way Stephens looks on the field.

Even the other night, yeah practice match, I don't think he was going at 100%, same with most of them, but he just looked like he had more of an appetite for the contest.

Doesn't look like the rattled kid anymore, but now just a player who is confident he belongs at the level.

So bloody excited to see what he can do this year.

 

[bedford]

Such a difference in the way Stephens looks on the field.

Even the other night, yeah practice match, I don't think he was going at 100%, same with most of them, but he just looked like he had more of an appetite for the contest.

Doesn't look like the rattled kid anymore, but now just a player who is confident he belongs at the level.

So bloody excited to see what he can do this year.

It would stick it up a few , i always liked him

 

[Kiama Chris]

Such a difference in the way Stephens looks on the field.

Even the other night, yeah practice match, I don't think he was going at 100%, same with most of them, but he just looked like he had more of an appetite for the contest.

Doesn't look like the rattled kid anymore, but now just a player who is confident he belongs at the level.

So bloody excited to see what he can do this year.

His running in the Brisbane match had real power and endurance. One stretch of play he went from RBP across to LBP, on the diagonal across to RHBF down to RFP to in front of goal non-stop at about 80% speed. Two handballs and a tackle.
He looks a significant improver.

 

[rustycrate]

Such a difference in the way Stephens looks on the field.

Even the other night, yeah practice match, I don't think he was going at 100%, same with most of them, but he just looked like he had more of an appetite for the contest.

Doesn't look like the rattled kid anymore, but now just a player who is confident he belongs at the level.

So bloody excited to see what he can do this year.

Kicks goals with confidence too. He belongs.

 

[Big Blood]

I've been rewatching some of last year's games and have been reminmded how good he is. Good two-way runner, decision-maker, reads the play well, nice kick. He kicked that great goal in final against Melbourne running around the player on the mark to slot it from just inside 50 -- a really bold play for guy who'd played 20-plus games. He just needs to do more of what he was doing last year.

 

[Nuggetz]

Him & Jmac should be our future wingmen imo. They can both pinch hit inside when needed too.

 

[Bloods86]

The talk of potential time inside reminds me of this post of mine from 2021, when it wasn't entirely popular to be a Stephens fan (as I and some others were). Can't quote the post because the thread got locked or archived etc, so screenshot will have to do. I'm not sure how I wrote this, given "a couple" was probably a low estimate, or remember it tbh.

 

[Tedeski]

He stays in the team. I like the guy's temperament & persistence.

 

[SSwans2011]

Such a difference the way this board is talking about Stephens compared to this time last year.

I hope that people will remember this next time a high pick doesn't immediately establish themselves in the best 22.

 

[Punts]

Definitely not cemented imo

 

[SSwans2011]

Definitely not cemented imo

I do agree with this, but I also think there is (or there should be) only about a dozen locks in the team, which is more a reflection of our depth and the ability of a number of our players to play multiple positions than an indictment on any of those players that aren't cemented.