Player Watch #15: Dylan Stephens

[Ether]

Your AFL club's most improved player so far in 2025 — SEN

Those who have improved.

apple.news

Unusually for this kind of article, it looks like the author has actually watched some of our games.

 

[I Want To Believe]

He sure is a surprise package this year. Have really enjoyed watching Dylan and Riley this year when I had zero expectations. And the rise and rise of PC. These three have been great to watch when there's been very little joy in 25.

 

[krakouers]

Liked him today, just continues to do his job

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Liked him today, just continues to do his job

Yup playing the role the coaches intended for him. Love how he gets back to fill holes in defense.

 

[Whippet1]

His vision with his handballs is excellent. Kicking not quite as good but tracking nicely this bloke.

 

[DuckYeah]

Has a right foot! GUN

 

[Psychic Roo]

Very Solid tonight. Improved out of sight this year.

 

[guapo]

High on the list of recent trades, building really nicely

 

[Flawed Genius]

Just another good quality wingman's game

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Would be top 5 in the Syd. I thought he had a goal there at the end

 

[Makeshift Park]

He’s a bloody great player and we’re only now getting the first taste of how good he could be.

 

[Its a Process]

Amazing turnaround. As well as the gut running and great disposal he’s also tackling really well.

 

[kingcarey1]

He gets better every game. Having a top 5 BNF season.
Tackling. Gut running. Spreading the field.

 

[Midas]

Brady might have got one right?

 

[backtothedraft]

Plenty of questions after last year but looks like he might be an AFL player after all. Commitment to the contest has improved

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Sensational.

Top 5 in the Syd?

Incredible turn around in everything he is doing

 

[tommy_uman]

Watch the boys walking into the coaching room after the game. This guy looks as disappointed as anybody. Unlike some of the other recruits who at times seem very uninvested (logue, Fisher), this guy is genuinely trying to improve. No coincidence the performances this season.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Sensational.

Top 5 in the Syd?

Incredible turn around in everything he is doing

X
Curtis
McDonald
Jy
Darling
Stephens

Would be my top 6. And not in that exact order.

 

[zoomba23]

X
Curtis
McDonald
Jy
Darling
Stephens

Would be my top 6. And not in that exact order.

The fact that Sheezel, LDU, Larkey, Colby, even FOS, all justifiably don't get a look in tells you where we should probably be

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Building nicely and his confidence is improving every week. Had an almost moment where he put his head down at chb and try to charge through 3 opposition players with pace and got through, but then ran into 2 more opposition players and had to handball.

 

[Psychic Roo]

Brady might have got one right?

Coaches backed him.

 

[BlueandWhiteElf]

I continue to be very impressed by DS’ turnaround. He is putting his head and body over the ball now and tackling, and taking the game on with run and carry. Keep it up!

 

[Rooscals]

Loving his body of work atm.

 

[Liam Boy]

Clearly someone spoke to him about drawing contact before he gets rid of it, and now he appears to look for it every time. I think the branding of him as a soft coward was totally wrong, he just needed to be taught a different approach.

 

[HugeJohnson1]

Top 3 Sid barker right now