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

 

[TheMase]

I mean, is it an outlier?

Nick Blakey extended before he'd even played a game.

James Rowbottom extended after three AFL games.

Justin McInerney extended after one 1-possession AFL game.

Ollie Florent extended after six AFL games averaging 9 possessions.

Matt Roberts extended after one 2-possession AFL game.

Generally if a club's been willing to use a national draft pick on a player, they will be prepared to extend them beyond their initial draft contract so they can see what they're working with.

Odds are Stephens may have been offered an early contract extension too but didn’t want to sign it (backed himself to get a better deal).

 

[Kiama Chris]

Odds are Stephens may have been offered an early contract extension too but didn’t want to sign it (backed himself to get a better deal).

Feel damn sorry for Stephens. Hasn't IMO done anything wrong at any stage, just hasn't quite developed as well as everyone hoped/expected. Get the feeling he's pretty introverted which may not help. A real pity.

 

[The King!]

Stephens does run bloody hard and is often in space and not utilised , maybe he runs in the wrong spots? maybe it's just unrewarded?

His lack of development is on the club as well as him .

 

[caesar88]

Feel damn sorry for Stephens. Hasn't IMO done anything wrong at any stage, just hasn't quite developed as well as everyone hoped/expected. Get the feeling he's pretty introverted which may not help. A real pity.

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

 

[The King!]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

Good post , the interesting part this year is when Stephens has played reserves who is missing injured/unavailable and plays ahead of him. Often he is not missing from an in form midfield of depth either, his 30 odd touches in the reserves now don't see him play ahead of Clarke and Corey Warner.

 

[bedford]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

Well done , not often i read big posts . Now let see what happens

 

[caesar88]

Good post , the interesting part this year is when Stephens has played reserves who is missing injured/unavailable and plays ahead of him. Often he is not missing from an in form midfield of depth either, his 30 odd touches in the reserves now don't see him play ahead of Clarke and Corey Warner.

I think by this point though, after four years and numerous stints at the level, Horse & co are probably less inclined to make him the priority over other reserves players. He's now just one of them I think, like Rose, Robinson, Foote etc used to be.

 

[The King!]

I think by this point though, after four years and numerous stints at the level, Horse & co are probably less inclined to make him the priority over other reserves players. He's now just one of them I think, like Rose, Robinson, Foote etc used to be.

True, I just wonder what they ask of each player in the reserves to work on to get a senior game

 

[Kiama Chris]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

Great post. A small addendum.
IIRC McInerney was drafted as a skinny half back flanker but moved to the wing in ressies. I saw him play a couple of times and his discipline staying ahead of the ball was outstanding. His evasive skills too.
Chad was drafted on the basis of his inside work in the U18 carnival but his extras after the first season led to an incredible increase in his explosiveness.
KB has said more than once that both have exceeded expectations.
Braeden is only now hitting his straps.
The mix of these four (Inc Errol) plus Ollie and Lizard is incredibly dynamic.
Now if only we could fix clearances.....

 

[scaryness]

Stephens does run bloody hard and is often in space and not utilised , maybe he runs in the wrong spots? maybe it's just unrewarded?

His lack of development is on the club as well as him .

I would give the benefit of the doubt to the club, as we have had an excellent history of developing young players and re-imagining players in different positions if needed.

Some players are just not good at getting the ball for whatever reason. I still believe that if you were to look at a checklist of skills and attributes you would want in an AFL player then Gary Rohan would have ticked just about every single box on that list, which is why he was drafted at pick 6, but it's irrelevant because he never got near the bloody footy for years.

Stephens looks like he is a good talent but he is just not a good (enough) player yet and if it can't happen at Sydney then I don't know how many other clubs would have as good a track record of developing talent as us.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I would give the benefit of the doubt to the club, as we have had an excellent history of developing young players and re-imagining players in different positions if needed.

Some players are just not good at getting the ball for whatever reason. I still believe that if you were to look at a checklist of skills and attributes you would want in an AFL player then Gary Rohan would have ticked just about every single box on that list, which is why he was drafted at pick 6, but it's irrelevant because he never got near the bloody footy for years.

Stephens looks like he is a good talent but he is just not a good (enough) player yet and if it can't happen at Sydney then I don't know how many other clubs would have as good a track record of developing talent as us.

The anti-Gulden.

 

[Neverwas]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

TLDR.

Nah, not really, great post.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[bedford]

TLDR.

Nah, not really, great post.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

CAPITALS are BACK

 

[caesar88]

TLDR.

Nah, not really, great post.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

I must be a true diehard Swans nuffie because everytime I read 'TLDR' my mind goes to Trent Dennis-Lane.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I would give the benefit of the doubt to the club, as we have had an excellent history of developing young players and re-imagining players in different positions if needed.

Allir says hold my beer. There is a decent parade of ex Swans at other Clubs who prospered once they left.

 

[scaryness]

Allir says hold my beer. There is a decent parade of ex Swans at other Clubs who prospered once they left.

Aliir was great for us, only 2020 sucked and then we moved him for no reason.

He came equal 4th in 2019 POTY

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Aliir was great for us, only 2020 sucked and then we moved him for no reason.

He came equal 4th in 2019 POTY

Aye. Still makes me crack the sads.

I still enjoy watching him play.

 

[Nuggetz]

Hope one way or another he gets a crack at the inside mid role in his career. Imo that's his ideal position, wonder if he & rowbottom were battling for the same inside mid position & rowbottom won out/had the backing of the coaches. Maybe his versatility in this respect hurt him, as they thought rowbottom could only play inside mid while stephens potentially could do both roles. So, he was giving a crack at the wing role.

 

[DobmusEdge]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

I think this is the best post I have ever read on big footy.

Hail, Caesar

 

[bedford]

I think this is the best post I have ever read on big footy.

Hail, Caesar

Spec has gone to another level , surely gets his full rights soon

 

[tombomb]

To me, he either becomes a massive gut running outside player who is also tough and doesn't fumble, like Hannebery was. Making space for himself when the opportunity comes and just burning off opponents and running 70+80m into space.

Or he becomes like a cat around the ball, hunting contest to contest. Like Gulden and Warner do, or how Tom Mitchell did before.

He needs to lift his intensity significantly.

Right now he seems like he is just a bit average in all facets of the game. But the hope for me is he only needs to improve a little bit to become a good player, and then can hopefully progress from there. He isn't 'that' far away.

 

[mtooler]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

Ripping post mate, agree with your take on it.

 

[Kiama Chris]

To me, he either becomes a massive gut running outside player who is also tough and doesn't fumble, like Hannebery was. Making space for himself when the opportunity comes and just burning off opponents and running 70+80m into space.

Or he becomes like a cat around the ball, hunting contest to contest. Like Gulden and Warner do, or how Tom Mitchell did before.

He needs to lift his intensity significantly.

Right now he just seems like he is just a bit average in all facets of the game. But the hope for me is he only needs to improve a little bit to become a good player, and then can hopefully progress from there. He isn't 'that' far away.

I read a quote in a story recently that often people can be more afraid of success than of failure. If you look at Gulden, Chad and Lizard in particular you would say that those guys embrace the risks that lead to success. Maybe Dylan doesn't. He has the tools.
I'd love to see him succeed and maybe I'm thrashing around trying to see why it isn't happening for him.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

From all accounts he does not seem introverted. It sounds like he's one of the more outgoing and popular members of the playing group.

LONG POST INCOMING

Trying to assess where the blame lies for Stephens' stalled career kinda creates a trail of clues that make me think there is no blame to be had by anyone, but rather Stephens is simply a victim of circumstance: Not bad, but not good enough.

NOV 2019: Kinnear Beatson gives his first interview after drafting Stephens.

Beatson said the Swans were attracted to Stephens for his ability to play both inside and outside as a midfielder.

“We’re really pleased to get him, it goes without saying. We’ve watched Dylan for a couple of years,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of senior football at Norwood this year and played with distinction there.

“He really compliments what we were hoping to add to our midfield.”

So our recruitment team have clearly identified Stephens' ability and intent to play inside as well, meaning they haven't selected someone with ignorance to his profile. They also note that they see Stephens as complementary to our midfield stocks at the time, which is a key factor because...

JULY 2020: Dylan Stephens and Chad Warner make their debuts.

At the time, Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell are still several months away from being drafted, Justin McInerney is in the NEAFL, and Callum Mills is in defence full-time. James Rowbottom is the only player added to the midfield over the last five years in the midfield at the time. Warner only plays in one more game that year, while Stephens plays in seven more.

At this point, Stephens has the inside track on every other young Swans mid (inside or outside) except for Rowbottom.

Example number 1 of Horse & co have giving that opportunity to Stephens, and Stephens kinda takes it.

The problem is so do others...

SEP 2020: McInerney returns to the best 22 and receives a Rising Star nomination for a breakout game on the wing.

OCT 2020: McInerney wins the Rising Star Award at the club champion night.

DEC 2020: Gulden and Campbell are drafted to the Swans, while Mills spends his pre-season preparing for his first year in the midfield.

MARCH 2021: Gulden makes his debut and receives a Rising Star nomination, Campbell receives a Rising Star nomination the week after, and Warner receives a Rising Star the week after that. All the while Mills receives six Brownlow votes in the opening three games.

JULY 2021: McInerney receives a second Rising Star nomination playing on the wing, while future All Australian and Brownlow contender Jordan Dawson is also moved to the wing.

Meanwhile...

Stephens is in and out of the team throughout this. Not necessarily doing much wrong, but as is clear from the above, there's a lot of other players vying for similar positions doing a LOT right.

Even then, he gets another chance by the following year...

JUNE 2022: Stephens returns to the best 22, where he has a career-best game and gets his first ever coaches vote. He then goes on to play in the following eleven straight games, including all three finals, by far the best return of his career.

Example number 2 of Horse offering Stephens a real extended chance, and this time Stephens delivered.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023: Stephens is cited multiple times by those at the club as a standout performer over the pre-season. His back end of 2022 combined with his pre-season of 2023 means this should be his best shake yet at "making it." Operation Breakout Year is launched.

MARCH 2023: Stephens is in the best 22 and again gets coaches votes in round 1 in what is probably the best game of his career. Operation Breakout Year is now officially underway.

MARCH/APRIL 2023: Stephens has a series of underwhelming performances, capped by being subbed off against Melbourne in round 3. Operation Breakout Year has stalled.

MAY 2023: Stephens is dropped after the GWS game. By this point it is round 8 and clearly Operation Breakout Year was a failure. How, after such a massive pre-season and a promising start to the year, could he still not be making inroads?

Example number 3 of Horse & co giving Stephens a real extended chance, and unfortunately he makes his worst go of it yet.

So like the chicken and the egg, which came first - Stephens' confidence seemingly effecting his performances, or Horse & co losing patience with him?

IMO it goes back to the talent around him. Such pressure for spots has meant he's never been able to play in his preferred spot as an inside mid, so it's only natural that Stephens feels that pressure to perform and he struggles with it. No blaming Stephens there. That pressure for spots also means that Horse & co can't coddle Stephens and prioritise giving him confidence over players who already have that confidence. No blaming Horse & co there, either.

So like I said, he's the classic case of a guy who is not bad, but is not good enough. He would likely have faired better at a club not possessing the precocious young talent that we've had, and that could afford to show time and patience with him. We simply have not been able to.

Post was TLDR so passed it up but went back and read after a couple people called it out. Great breakdown and I think you hit the nail on the head.

The AFL is pretty damn cut-throat, especially with the amount of talented youngsters he's competing against for a spot. I guess he needs to really shine before he'll get an opportunity, and that's fair. We're not short of options, so I guess it's up to him.

 

[tombomb]

I read a quote in a story recently that often people can be more afraid of success than of failure. If you look at Gulden, Chad and Lizard in particular you would say that those guys embrace the risks that lead to success. Maybe Dylan doesn't. He has the tools.
I'd love to see him succeed and maybe I'm thrashing around trying to see why it isn't happening for him.

As I said in an earlier post, I look at the way Gulden and Warner are like cats around the ball. The way Gulden powers from contest to contest. Even the way that Nick Daicos is always in the game and when he sees a chance, he just takes off and no one can keep up with him.

They are high bars to be measured against, but the difference in intensity level is just so obvious between Stephens and the really good young midfielders.

It's like they are going at 100 and he is going at 25. He doesn't have to get to their level to be a good player, but he has to lift significantly.

Otherwise he will be out of the league in a few years, regardless of whether he stays with us or goes to another team where he is a fringe player.