AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan says clubs who overlook Jaidyn Stephenson will be missing out on his ability to deliver on the big stage, after describing him as the best player in the 2017 draft.
The Eastern Ranges forward/midfielder has long been touted as a top ten selection and SEN Inside Football’s draft expert Brett Anderson selected Stephenson to go to St Kilda at pick eight in his mock draft.
However, he could slip to a late first round selection due to a heart condition, which has seen some clubs allegedly put a line through selecting him in the opening round.
Sheehan said his situation reminded him of Geelong captain Joel Selwood who slid down to pick seven in the 2006 draft, due to concerns over his knees, but has gone onto being a four time premiership player with the Cats.
“I’d say Jaidyn Stephenson [is the best player in the draft]. I’d go for him,” he said on SEN’s Hungry for Sport.
“The big stage- he was the best on ground [in the national championships] at Etihad Stadium this year, he had 28 [disposals] and kicked five off the wing.
“Then we got to Grand Final day, we had an all-star game with the best boys we put out there, and again he was exciting. He was the best player on the ground again, kicked three, set up another two or three and just showed he could make that MCG his stage with his run and carry.
“He’s an exciting player, he’s the dilemma in this and it could be a bit of ‘why does he slip so far?’ just as it was with Joel [Selwood] in 2006. He should have been in the debate with Bryce Gibbs for pick one and slipped through on medical advice.”
You can listen to tonight’s NAB AFL Draft live on SEN from Sydney at 6.45pm.
To hear Kevin Sheehan's draft preview with KB click below