North Melbourne’s Jaidyn Stephenson has been roasted for his defensive efforts in the thrilling decline to Collingwood, with former AFL mentor Ross Lyon accusing the $2.5m recruit of “taking the mickey”.
Lyon labelled Stephenson a “non competitor” and questioned if he was totally dedicated to lifestyle as an AFL footballer in damning criticism on Triple M on Sunday.
Lyon and fellow AFL commentator Kane Cornes highlighted Stephenson’s lack of physical determination to the contest, with Cornes demonstrating 3 individual “damning” initiatives from the clash with the Pies.
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“He physically does not compete,” Lyon lamented.
“He causes troubles off the field, he’s obtaining overpaid and each individual time you choose a team you mail a message – adequate of Jaidyn Stephenson for me.
“If we’re viewing it, the North Melbourne supporters are seeing it. Would you want to stroll down the race with him? I would not.
“This is a club on its knees. We converse about lives on the line, throwing your human body. If (other players) can do it, you can do it. When it is your change, go.”
Stephenson has managed just 30 video games for the Roos due to the fact he arrived in a past-minute trade from Collingwood at the end of 2020.
He signed a 5-yr offer with North Melbourne, worth a claimed $2.5m. At the time, he pledged to construct on his human body in a bid to conduct at his ideal.
“Obviously overall body sizing is something I require to operate on. Hopefully it can help me boost that and it’ll acquire my football to the upcoming phase,” he said in 2020.
Less than a 12 months into his new offer, Stephenson was hospitalised following breaking his hip attempting to carry out tips on his BMX bicycle while ingesting with mates.
Lyon questioned if Stephenson had used himself when it arrived to his measurement.
“How several kilos do you assume he’s put on since he’s been drafted? When you’ve received a total time nutritionist, you have received a entire time gymnasium individual to just take you by way of, dedicate you as a result of improvement. He’s not making use of himself,” Lyon explained.
“He’s having the mickey. When you signal that deal, you are indicating: ‘I’m going to devote myself, this is what I’ll do and you are going to spend me’. He’s not offering.”
Cornes showed three separate endeavours from Stephenson that have been labelled “damning” on the Sunday Footy Demonstrate, and claimed the Roo was “physically not up to the standard”.
In the initially, he fails to dive on the footy in the defensive 50, and makes it possible for the ball to get out of the contest resulting in a Collingwood at the rear of.
The next, Stephenson leaves his direct opponent to try out hold out at an aerial contest, but the ball receives out and Collingwood kick a purpose.
In the 3rd, the Roo falls off a deal with on opponent Beau McCreery and coughs up a intention.
“Some players are harder than other folks – we know that but he refuses to accept any contact in the recreation now,” Cornes reported.
“I count on him to drop his position in the side following week. He’s been a disappointing recruit when you consider the dollars and the a long time he acquired at North Melbourne.
“I’d just about go as considerably as indicating it did charge them the recreation.”
North Melbourne runner Brent Harvey attempted to protect the eyesight of Stephenson, confirming the 23-12 months-aged injured his lessen back again and was subbed off ahead of comprehensive time.
“I’ve absolutely found a shift in his coaching the last six or seven months,” he explained on the Sunday Footy Show.
“He is getting significant. He didn’t end the video game yesterday. He received subbed off with a decrease again harm. I’m not certain if that contributed to any of the vision that you confirmed.”
Lyon mentioned Stephenson’s target essential to be on his AFL profession.
“He wants to apply himself to his soccer. There are some non negotiables when you run down the race about competing,” he explained.
