What to do with Stephenson

[Jelly Bean]

We all know he is the best young player on our list, and should be a significant contributor to our team when he gets a few years under his belt. The question is - where do we see him contributing the best, and what do we do with him this year. I know the easy answer is that he will rotate around all of them, but where do you see him spending the most time?

Options:
Deep forward. Seems to play well here, and has been here the majority of his time at AFL level so far.
High forward. Could use his pace to bring the ball forward from up the ground, but still follow the ball deep forward when it gets there. Would allow some space for Elliott and De Geoy to operate deep.
Wing. Impact players generally get up around the ball, and if we thought he could contribute, then this is where we'd have him. Could be good for 25ish possessions with the pace that we sorely need through that part of the ground.
Half back. Long shot, but would be useful running the ball out of the backline with the whole ground in front of him. Would make good use of his burners.

 

[jmac70]

To borrow a line from the Disco King - Pablo.

Just play him...

 

[left at home]

From deep in the forward line to the wing, forget about the back line, he is already proven that he play forward. And we need outside pace and skill around the midfield

 

[Soups]

Deep forward. He’s most dangerous there. No need to play him up the ground yet imo.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Deep forward. He’s most dangerous there. No need to play him up the ground yet imo.

Yep. I was in the wing camp at the start of last years but then after seeing his production I think he’s too much of an offensive threat over the top and so strong for his build that to play him elsewhere than deep forward would be a waste.

 

[TradeDraft]

I say he stay a Forward after having glandular fever but I hope they see him that could play Midfield/Wing in the next few years

 

[bunter]

He is so dangerous around goal, can turn a defender inside out and loves a goal. Can also use his pace and smarts to hit up fellow forwards from an outside position. He’s a natural HFF for mine.

 

[JB1975]

He should never be outside 50.

That depends on his odds from outside 50, surely...

 

[Go Woods]

Deep forward. He’s most dangerous there. No need to play him up the ground yet imo.

Agree 100%, he sends shivers down the opposition defences when one out, and that’s his strength aside from his blistering speed.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Kick it to him

 

[Robroy22]

Use him wherever we want to best assist the team. That's the beauty of this kid. He wins one on ones wherever he is so just play him and keep him interested. Personally I wouldn't waste him on a wing or in defence. He's got the ability to do things that most players can't AND he reads play well. I think eventually he will find himself playing from the centre bounce forward ala Judd and Martin but for now just leave him forward and let him kick LOTS of goals.

 

[Taylor]

Play him deep forward and on the wing with increasingly more on the wing as his fitness allows until his standard game is wing with rests forward.

 

[Robroy22]

Play him deep forward and on the wing with increasingly more on the wing as his fitness allows until his standard game is wing with rests forward.

We already have plenty of good wingers, would you play Fyfe on a wing or get him somewhere where he can actually hurt other teams?

 

[Taylor]

We already have plenty of good wingers, would you play Fyfe on a wing or get him somewhere where he can actually hurt other teams?

I'd play Fyfe forward and in the middle if Freo had more ball winners. Creating match up headaches is part of how little contests get won.

The Pies do have a lot of wingers, Jaidyn is one of them who is playing well in his secondary position.

Eventually he will have the size and speed to present a nightmare match up, especially if Steele is lining up inside the stoppage

 

[sr36]

Full forward. He's a freak.

 

[Horaceg]

Outside mid, open up the game with his run and delivery to forward. He is a versatile option, can go forward, one on one. I don’t think we need to pigeonhole him in any one position. Good luck to the kid this year.

 

[jmac70]

He needs to work on his set shot routine.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Combination Forward/Outside Mid/Pure Winger

 

[manicpie]

Full forward. He's a freak.

This, just leave him one out in the square

 

[TKiL]

He needs to work on his set shot routine.

mmmmm - excessive ball twirling might not help imo

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Regular Logic: In 2018, one of the most dangerous forwards in the comp, probs keep him around the goals.
Buckley Logic: Let's play him up on the wing.

 

[Mkcaptain]

I love him as a deep forward. I understand people wanting to turn him into a midfielder but I think he had 10 shots on goal in the Queens Birthday game this year (only for 3 goals unfortunately). He genuinely looked like he was going to start tearing the competition apart as a forward.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Regular Logic: In 2018, one of the most dangerous forwards in the comp, probs keep him around the goals.
Buckley Logic: Let's play him up on the wing.

Collingwood Bubble Logic: He plays some good games forward therefore he should only ever be considered a Forward
Coaching Logic: He is a very good footballer and can play in multiple positions where we as a team can use to our best advantage

 

[robbos13]

deep forward or high half forward.

is a liability through the midfield/wing. gets caught out of position and makes bad by choices by foot to the next target.

keep him forward , he is an absolute asset up there where he can strut his stuff and use speed to burn defenders.

not everyone needs to be a midfielder.

career forward for me

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Give him a run in the ruck.