AFL Daily: Collingwood legends Tony Shaw and Mick McGuane slam the severity of Jaidyn Stephenson’s punishment

The "harsh" punishment handed out to Collingwood youngster Jaidyn Stephenson for placing AFL bets doesn't fit the crime, say Magpies premiership teammates Tony Shaw and Mick McGuane. RECAP ALL THE DAY'S NEWS

Jaidyn Stephenson is remorseful over his betting that resulted in a long ban.

Collingwood premiership teammates Tony Shaw and Mick McGuane believe Jaidyn Stephenson’s 10-week ban is too harsh.

“I understand where they they are coming from … but to me it’s just a young bloke who was dumb and made a stupid mistake,” Shaw said.

“If there was any collusion, I’d agree, he should be banned for two years or for life.

“But you can belt someone from behind in a king hit action and if the bloke gets up and doesn’t have concussion, you’ll probably get four weeks.

“Ten weeks is a long time.

“I reckon it’s harsh, but I know a lot of people won’t. It’s just another stupid mistake and not all footballers are brain surgeons, as we know.

“And I’m not just saying it as Collingwood person, if it was any other player at any other club I’d still say it’s harsh.”

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Asked what penalty would have been suitable, Shaw said: “Four weeks, you learn a lesson, you get on with life and go for it.

“The Essendon blokes only got two years and it was said that they had taken illegal drugs, so geez, for a $36 multi he’s paid a heavy price.”

McGuane, Shaw’s 1990 premiership teammate, said: “The integrity of the competition cannot be compromised.

“And clearly with all of the warnings, he should have known better, but a 22-week suspension - of which 12 are suspended - seems too harsh.

“I think a fairer figure would have been 16 weeks - eight and eight.”

Jaidyn Stephenson trains at the Holden Centre before he faced the media. Picture: AAP

Shaw said the impact on Nathan Buckley’s team would be significant.

“It’s big. This bloke is one of the top three goal kickers in the club and it could cost you games and qualifying higher,” he said.

“They’ll find a way of getting around it but he’s a good player.

“I wouldn’t go as far as saying it could cost you a premiership, but there’s no doubt it could cost you games because of his ability to take another defender and to change games.

“Nathan has had some bad luck over his coaching career with injury and few other things, but to lose a bloke like this for 10 weeks is unbelievable.“He’ll be out of his thinking now and somebody else will come into it. Bucks does that better than anybody.”

Originally published as AFL Daily: Collingwood legends Tony Shaw and Mick McGuane slam the severity of Jaidyn Stephenson’s punishment

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