#35,#1 Jaidyn Stephenson

[shawthing]

Dropped and almost tradeable. Club not a fan of him.

Tradeable? Name one other club that would be interested in him after THAT non-performance.

[shawthing]

But in his third year, and despite no real muscle or weight being added, he might still be the ‘skinny’ kid inside 50, but he has got to show more desire to chase/tackle/second-effort. It’s not a skill to want to chase. Or tackle. Do I want him head first into a pack like Greenwood? He’ll no. He’ll be killed. But he needs some angry pills to trigger an urgency to get that damn ball at all costs. Just once I want to see an ANGRY look on his face. I dunno, he seems like the weight of the world is in his shoulders. Like that betting scandal still haunts him. No one really gives a sh!t anymore. Seems like eons ago. Sometime needs to sit him down and reassure him, and drive a rocket up him to get freakin’ ANGRY.

You could be onto something here RH. What I'm interpreting as a lack of confidence and belief in himself (hence leading to a lack of effort, little desire and some lack of courage) could well be because the shame of betting scandal is still weighing him down. Yep, he was silly, but he has to forgive himself for his error and believe in his value to the team when we so need him to be firing at his best.

I think the betting scandal is the last thing on his mind. He is so narcissistic he'd still be wondering what he did wrong. He's just never grown up, mentally or physically.

[shawthing]

...
What should have been our backbone for a decade of success is starting to look like a wasted decade of mediocrity.
...

For sure, 2011-9 was a wasted (almost) decade. The question is whether 2020-9 will be another wasted decade.

It will be if we don't recruit some KPPs and a new coach!

[matrix10]

... seeing him on the ground seemingly arguing with the curator over the centre square- not a good look.

When was this? Tell us more.

After the game- they showed footage- apparently the curator is fairly serious about his cricket pitches- he’s roped it off before the game - commentators were saying how absurd it was- the ground is now hosting the GF- and he’s worried about a few blokes having a kick pre game

Anyway- Stevo and one of our other players were on the ground and around the ropes
- it appeared they were talking to the curator - he seemed angry and Stevo looked like he was bemused- seemed as though they were pointing out the obvious to the curator

I understand this may seem to be reading way too much into it- and possibly is- but it seemed to highlight what many perceive as a big weakness of Stevo- lack of respect.

Sure the curator is a jobsworth- but a 20 y/old kid shouldn’t be getting into verbals before a game.

As everyone seems to say these days- the optics weren’t great

[doriswilgus]

Oh dear,so much nastiness and judgementalism about a 20 year old kid who’s in a form slump.I just hope he doesn’t read forums like this from ‘loyal’ Collingwood supporters.If he did he’d probably wonder what the hell he’s doing at a club like this.

[tbaker]

Oh dear,so much nastiness and judgementalism about a 20 year old kid who’s in a form slump.I just hope he doesn’t read forums like this from ‘loyal’ Collingwood supporters.If he did he’d probably wonder what the hell he’s doing at a club like this.

Yes, too right Doris! He's in a form slump and there are so many other abnormal things going on with the AFL season this year - he's not the only player who's not handling these very different circumstances well. I'm sure he'll be better next year when we're back to playing in our own state, although that's not even certain now, given the present ideology of eliminating covid at all costs.

[Bruce Gonsalves]

I've been a huge rap for Stevo but the other night, I don't think I've ever seen such an inept performance by a footballer ever. He most certainly will be dropped, may not see him this year again. He will be embarrassed I'm sure in team meetings wrapping this match up and that will hurt him the most.

[The Boy Who Cried Wolf]

Just gotta keep playing him.. as painful as that is right now

[Dave The Man]

Something is not Right about Steveo and I think it might be more then just Glandular Fever

[K]

Which of the guesses in

https://magpies.net/nick/bb/viewtopic.php?t=87646

do you think is right?

[Piesnchess]

That bloody Gambling fiasco knocked the tar out of him, it will take until next season, and counselling, for him to get over that, He will be ok, long term.

[Hiss]

He is a complete champion player! I consider him our best recruit in the last ten years. Alright he is down on form at the moment, but this whole season would have any champion wondering if they were even on the right planet. You watch next year when we are back at the MCG in front of big crowds; he will prove you all wrong . One thing he doesn’t need is people questioning his form on here. Why don’t you spend your time questioning Essendon players instead ?

[alexjvillani]

He looks like he doesn't wanna be apart of the team... strange considering the club culture is at an all time high.

[inxs88]

* No pre-season
* Glandular fever
* Hub life
* peroxide
* third year blues

[Mr Miyagi]

Can’t/won’t run both ways and play defensively in the forward line. Watch the Brisbane game again and the lack of chase and pressure, how easily they moved the ball out. Seriously, the first half I had to check he was playing because I hadn’t seen him! Varcoe might be getting old but you at least see him chasing and making the effort to pressure and play defensive.