SEN’s Tom Morris believes Sydney’s Dylan Stephens is the hardest player to value this trade period.
Stephens, a former No. 5 draft pick, has requested a trade to North Melbourne following four years and 43 games for the Swans.
While Stephens was taken at the top of the 2019 draft, he hasn’t fully hit his straps at Sydney despite playing 28 games across the last two seasons including the 2022 Grand Final loss to Geelong.
Stephens has shown signs of turning into a quality wingman while he’s also been left to play VFL for stretches and as a result, Morris finds it hard to figure out exactly what the 22-year-old is worth in a trade.
He discussed Stephens with Garry Lyon on SEN Breakfast where the duo tried to figure out what kind of draft pick would be a fair swap for the Swan.
Morris: “The hardest player to value in this entire trade period is Dylan Stephens.
“He was pick No.5 four years ago, has requested a trade to North Melbourne and North would like to give up a pick I think in the 40s for him.
“Sydney say, ‘No, no, he was picked five just four years ago’.”
Lyon: “Dylan Stephens, he played some footy, some reasonable footy (this year).
“I think he’s a talented kid, played on the wing mainly for the Sydney Swans.”
Morris: “He hasn't quite lit it up as a pick-five, but he played 13 games this year.
“He’s played a total of 43 matches for his career. He's a very hard one to value because normally a pick from four years ago is now entering their prime.”
Lyon: “I’ll value him. I’ll be the adjudicator.”
Morris: “What’s he worth then? You be the judge.”
Lyon: “Pick 29.”
Morris: “Well, they’d have to find a pick at 29 then.”
The Kangaroos are currently armed with picks 2, 3, 15, 20, 44, 56, 64 and 81 in this year’s draft.