Norwood young gun Dylan Stephens says, while daunting, it would be a privelage to be drafted by the Crows at pick No. 4
Dylan Stephens would love to stay in South Australia and, while he’s only spoken to the Power once, the Crows’ interest has been far more obvious
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The idea of being taken at pick No. 4 by the Crows is daunting for Norwood young gun Dylan Stephens but it’s a scenario which could play out at November’s AFL Draft.
Stephens, a self-confessed “footy head” who follows the AFL news cycle, including the draft, closely, has met with the Crows on several occasions this year and, as a classy, skilful midfielder with a touch a pace, appears the perfect fit for Adelaide.
“It’s a little bit daunting. The Crows at pick 4 is such a high pick in the draft but we’ll just see what happens,” Stephens said on The Lowdown AFL Draft Podcast.
“I would be very privileged if that was the case.
“Obviously at the pointy-end of the draft there is a lot of high-end talent, a lot of good players so I haven’t really thought about that too much.”
The 18-year-old, who played 13 senior games in the SANFL in 2019, noted many clubs had followed a similar procedure but he confirmed Adelaide is one of the clubs he’s met with multiple times this season.
“I spoke to them three times really early in the year. And then at the combine and they’ve spoken to my parents a little bit as well,” Stephens said.
“I’d loved to stay in SA. I loved it the past four or five years (after moving from Mildura). I’ve made some great friendships along the way, it would be great to stay close to them.”
His contact with Port Adelaide, however, the other club who could fulfil his want to stay in South Australia, has been limited to this point.
“They’ve held back a little bit in comparison to the Crows,” Stephens admitted.
“I spoke to Port for the first time at the combine.
“Their approach to it all is just a bit different. I hope – and I think – the interest is still there.”
It’s been a similar story for another of the state’s top draft hopes, Will Gould, who is yet to speak to the Power.
“They just said we keep it until the end of the year. I think they got all the Melbourne boys interviewed at the combine and they are just waiting to do us later on while we are still here,” Gould said.
But that’s about to change with both players set to spend a day at Alberton together this week.
Port would welcome Stephens - who also labelled the idea of moving away from SA as “exciting” - with open arms at pick No. 12 but it’s unlikely he gets there.
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Adelaide recruiting manger Hamish Ogilvie currently holds selections 4, 23, 28, 36, 45 and 49.
With clubs able to trade picks up until November 22 – and then on draft night – that hand could still change significantly with the Crows open to offers.
If he’s overlooked by the Demons at No. 3, the ball-use and decision-making of game-breaking defender Hayden Young would also appeal to Adelaide while fellow Victorians Sam Flanders, an explosive half-forward/midfielder, the Robbie Gray-like Caleb Serong and dashing half-back Lachie Ash would also be in the mix.
Expect Ogilvie to bid on GWS Academy star Tom Green but when the Giants match, will Adelaide pass up on the damaging, all-round midfielder, who models his game on Josh Kelly – and wants to stay in SA - it craves?