Player Watch #15: Dylan Stephens

[speedy]

I was at the game yesterday. I spent a bit of time just watching Stephens. I taught him at high school so I’ve always had a vested interest in his career.

He’s obviously very good at keeping structure and playing to the team plan. He held his width well at stoppages. A couple of times when he was matched up on El Hawli, El Hawli got sucked into the stoppage and Stephens held his width and managed to impact the play. He’s definitely more a defensive winger. He knew where his man (usually El Hawli or Langford) were at all times. He rarely ventured into NM’s F50, instead opting to hang around the arc as an option for a switch of play. He did have a few fumbles and poor kicks, and honestly, I didn’t see him do anything that was super skilful. His positioning and endeavour is more impressive than his technical ability.

I likened his game style and honestly, career projection to that of Ricky Dyson. Solid player, likes to gut run and sticks to the wings. Good looking kick yet not as effective as it looks. I can see him being a 200 game player (probably showing my bias here) but one of those 200 gamers that is a solid servant without ever being an out and out star.

So you are to blame? Hehe….
Fair take, but I think he shat his pants because of the occasion, particularly early. Hopefully he learns from it because his game does seem on an upward trend.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Having a very good year so far. Would be in the top half of users on the list.

 

[muttley45]

One thing i have observed lately, since every man and his dog know he is predominantly a left foot only kick, why, when he a free kick or a mark, would he feint, or even actually go to the right as a 1st move ?

 

[MC Bad Genius]

Gets burned far too often.

My god he must hate his team-mates.

I shared this in the thread after his first few games in Kangaroos colours:

Interesting point that you raised about him not often being taken as an option. I noticed that too after spending some time at games watching him. He often would be open for a switch on the fat side if the ground and would be ignored. I don't know it it was a lack of trust from his teammates or maybe they saw something that I couldn't see from the stands, but it was definitely noticeable.

Hopefully this early season form isn't a flash in the pan for him and it's more a reflection on him developing the belief and repaying the trust that's been invested in him.

 

[Whippet1]

One thing i have observed lately, since every man and his dog know he is predominantly a left foot only kick, why, when he a free kick or a mark, would he feint, or even actually go to the right as a 1st move ?

It’s kind of a fake(that doesn’t fool anyone). McKercher does exactly the same although he has a bit more speed to pull it off. These one sided players have mastered the outside of the foot kick too. The stand rule helps.

 

[shinboner magic]

Fumble like that against a real side and you’re smashed

 

[muttley45]

It’s kind of a fake(that doesn’t fool anyone). McKercher does exactly the same although he has a bit more speed to pull it off. These one sided players have mastered the outside of the foot kick too. The stand rule helps.

With the new stand enforcement, if he took off to his left straight away, he would already be on his kicking foot with a good break on the statue standing the mark, a slight twitch to right, umpire calls play on, and the man on the mark is right on to him, i don't get it tbh

 

[amaz199]

He will get it heaps this week. Should be using him at every opportunity.

 

[HugeJohnson1]

I think Dyl would benefit the most out of Max Vineys BJJ training with Sheez and LDU. Teach him how to stick a tackle and break free if any contact comes his way.

 

[King Corey]

Been a fan for a while. Perceived pessure got to him a few times as *.

 

[JZTIME!]

Been a fan for a while. Perceived pessure got to him a few times as *.

Yeah played well beside a couple of scared moments. They are fewer than in the past so only upwards from here

 

[Chip Scab1]

Unsurprisingly, led all players on the field (for either team) for distance run today at 16.1km.

He's lucky there's a fence around the ground.

 

[tazaa]

Please leave the fumble on the goal line in 2024 Dylan

Parker isn’t going to be there each time to save your ass

 

[Makeshift Park]

I was at the game yesterday. I spent a bit of time just watching Stephens. I taught him at high school so I’ve always had a vested interest in his career.

He’s obviously very good at keeping structure and playing to the team plan. He held his width well at stoppages. A couple of times when he was matched up on El Hawli, El Hawli got sucked into the stoppage and Stephens held his width and managed to impact the play. He’s definitely more a defensive winger. He knew where his man (usually El Hawli or Langford) were at all times. He rarely ventured into NM’s F50, instead opting to hang around the arc as an option for a switch of play. He did have a few fumbles and poor kicks, and honestly, I didn’t see him do anything that was super skilful. His positioning and endeavour is more impressive than his technical ability.

I likened his game style and honestly, career projection to that of Ricky Dyson. Solid player, likes to gut run and sticks to the wings. Good looking kick yet not as effective as it looks. I can see him being a 200 game player (probably showing my bias here) but one of those 200 gamers that is a solid servant without ever being an out and out star.

Interesting insight, cheers.

Not sure if you watch many North games, but round 3 was his least impressive game this year.

Kicked some absolute beauties against Port in round 1 if you wanna see his kicking on display.

 

[zoomba23]

Been a fan for a while. Perceived pessure got to him a few times as *.

Dylan lives in a state of perpetual perceived pressure. I don't mind him because he always seems to be where he needs to be, but good Christ the campaigner is scared. He's not shedding it imo

 

[Reginald0]

Might be less offensive to say he panics
I don’t think he would get on the park if he was scared

 

[FlyHigh18]

My favourite Dylan moment was when he panic kicked to himself on the wing.

Narrator: No one was on the wing.

Jokes aside, some maturity will see him more composed under pressure and he’ll be great.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

If we get 5 Porta games a year from Dylan, then that would be an excellent result. It’s the consistency and output from the other 18 games to be at a useful and contributing level to the team.

Think of Ed Langdon

15

Ed Langdon

Age

30

Ht

182cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.0

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

9.0

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.3

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

20.3

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

7.5

4star

M

4.5

4star

T

0.8

1star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

6.4

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.6

3star

in the Demons winning GF team. That should be what he aims for. Played 24 games and kicked 13 goals in 2021. Now a +200 games player and only just turned 30

 

[showusyacunningt]

Club legend Dylan Stephens

15

Dylan Stephens

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

10.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.0

1star

. Instrumental in the win, some key defensive efforts too.

Our best wingman in a long time.

 

[Devington]

The spoil towards the end to stop a shot on goal was great. Previously has not a bloke you picture when "game saving spoil" is mentioned. Has taken a really big step this year towards rounding himself out as a player.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Yep a couple fumbles and one softish moment can't diminish what was a dominance from the outside, led by this fella.

 

[amaz199]

Huge.

 

[viccles]

Few howlers but I still like him

 

[MF]

If he can improve his physicality and one on ones a little he'll be a very good winger. Having a very good start to the season with his run on the outside. Happy for him

 

[The Nostradamus]

All Aus wingman at this stage