Player Watch #15: Dylan Stephens

[Ashley B]

He wasn't even a good stopper last year. Lost something like 36% of his 1-on-1s. I've got an Essendon neighbour who absolutely detests him lol. Thinks we unloaded him on them in the manner of a used car salesman.

All the better for the Bombers lol

 

[The Nostradamus]

I thought he (Stephens) was very good in the first half yesterday. Less prominent when he switched to blue.

Was one of the best on ground in that first half

 

[Hotham FC]

It rounds down to 800k per year. Still an overpay based on output, but the front-loading makes it look worse. Think there was a bit of wink-wink-nudge-nudging from the league there. Not a good result for us or the league, who currently are still in the camp of wanting us to improve, if we got band 2

If we had lost Rd24, the league would have had no problem justifying band 2. No way we were getting Reid & Kerch.

 

[shinboner magic]

Was one of the best on ground in that first half

First half of the first quarter yes and then did his usual disappearing act

 

[zoomba23]

If we had lost Rd24, the league would have had no problem justifying band 2. No way we were getting Reid & Kerch.

Fair point

 

[chubbspeterson]

100%
This kid can play
You don’t go top 5 for nothing

Elite endurance
Good skills
Good speed

Has serious upside

Serious upside is a stretch. He's squad of 30 depth who could potentially play a serviceable 5-15 AFL games.
He'll put some selection pressure on from VFL level, but I don't think his competitiveness and kicking/decision making (same thing you criticise Bailey for often) are consistent enough to make it at AFL level.
Happy to be proven wrong though, but just think a few others are likely to go ahead of him quite quickly.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Had the chance to commit himself to a contested mark situation on the weekend but opted out. Nothing has changed.

 

[Fish Sticks]

Some of his first half kicks were insanely accurate. Threading between 2-3 players and hitting his targets to be one of the better kicks on the field. If he can be consistent in a match for all 4 QTRs and play the role being asked……he might just make it.

His kicking has never been an issue.
He would be one of the best ball users on our list.
He does play the wing position well, not getting sucked into the contest (he does everything he can to avoid a contest)
Not sure he gets a look in over Scott & FOS unless one of them gets injured.
Didn’t he sign a 4 year contract!?
Plenty of time to win that position back by playing good footy in the VFL.

 

[Sphynx]

He's been/going to be classic market corrected by FOS.

He's contracted until the end of 2027, that will be an absolute stinker in time, im sure.

Was always a terrible deal to begin with.

 

[perplexed]

This guy starts so many games on fire and then is unsighted for the remainder of the game

Which is kind of weird, because he is one the fittest players at the club. Scott on the other hand, seems to be the reverse. He seems to always finish off games better than he starts them.

 

[Themanbun]

Which is kind of weird, because he is one the fittest players at the club. Scott on the other hand, seems to be the reverse. He seems to always finish off games better than he starts them.

It's all between the ears for Dyl. He's almost too focused on structure, positioning within it, etc.

To the point where he doesn't really demand the ball when he's the best option.

 

[perplexed]

He's harshly judged on here.

Sure is. We were overly generous with the length of contract we offered him, but that isn't his fault.

It's pretty funny comparing this thread to the Will Phillips one. Both seem like really nice kids. They were both taken earlier in the draft than they probably should have been and are both currently on the fringe of the team. I doubt either of them make it, but they both seem to be working as hard as they can to.

In this thread there is an abusive weekly pile on about Dyl's courage and analysis of every mistake he makes on field. But go to the other thread and suggest Will may lack the endurance to make it as a midfielder, it's like you shot Bambi's mum.

 

[Event Horizon]

He's been/going to be classic market corrected by FOS.

He's contracted until the end of 2027, that will be an absolute stinker in time, im sure.

Was always a terrible deal to begin with.

If we were in EPL, he'd be loaned out to a Championship club by now, and would probably end up in League 1 by 2026/27

But under the AFL system we're stuck with him. Can't see how any potential trade can happen at all

 

[KangaRooster]

If we were in EPL, he'd be loaned out to a Championship club by now, and would probably end up in League 1 by 2026/27

But under the AFL system we're stuck with him. Can't see how any potential trade can happen at all

He’s rather decent wing depth, at worst.

If Bailey goes down for any length of time we have no maturity at the position at all.

Easy to say throw Kerch FOS or Duurs there but they’re kids. Tucker and Jy are both needed elsewhere. Fisher would probably be next best.

We’re paying him a bit and for a while but it’s not our worst contract. Or if it is, our contracts are in pretty decent shape.

 

[The Nostradamus]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

 

[Better Loosen Up]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

You've repeatedly given us no choice. We've had this discussion 1,000 times already and so far, 1,000 times you've been wrong. Getting boring now...

 

[year of the roo]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

He's a better kick. That's literally it though.

 

[King Corey]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

I actually rate Dylan but you're undervaluing Bailey bro.

You know you can shift opinion on a player beyond your first ever viewing of them, Yeh?

 

[Blightys Barrel]

I actually rate Dylan but you're undervaluing Bailey bro.

You know you can shift opinion on a player beyond your first ever viewing of them, Yeh?

The time to do it is when hell freezes over

 

[Twangler]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

Im ready. Bailey averages double the disposals, double the marks, double the tackles, double the meters gained, nearly double the effective kicks and has more scoreboard impact. It’s not even close. Stephens has a few games as sub but not nearly enough to significantly alter their overall difference in impact.

The eye test says Stephens is a better kick and decision maker but he just doesn’t get the ball enough to make an impact.

 

[chubbspeterson]

He's been/going to be classic market corrected by FOS.

He's contracted until the end of 2027, that will be an absolute stinker in time, im sure.

Was always a terrible deal to begin with.

I wasn't a fan of the 4 years, but I don't think it will hurt all that bad. He's squad depth for three more years who might see some AFL games here and there because the young kids are going to need to be managed.
It only hurts if a better wing player becomes available via trade/FA. It's likely we only add Sam Harris in 2026 to the midfield group I would think, so Dylan's contract finishing up end of 2027 might be okay timing.

 

[Nylex]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott

but some of y'all aren't ready for that discussion

 

[7577969923]

You've repeatedly given us no choice. We've had this discussion 1,000 times already and so far, 1,000 times you've been wrong. Getting boring now...

Really? Just now?

 

[zoomba23]

I actually rate Dylan but you're undervaluing Bailey bro.

You know you can shift opinion on a player beyond your first ever viewing of them, Yeh?

He doesn't know that. And you should know better than to underplay his obstinacy. Bailey could kick the winning goal in a GF and Nostrils wouldn't celebrate it

 

[Disco Dew]

he's a better footballer than bailey scott