Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson isn’t worried about genetic heart condition as he earns Rising Star nod

WATCHING a fellow AFL player collapse with a suspected heart irregularity could easily have shaken Jaidyn Stephenson, but Collingwood’s newest Rising Star has “no worries” about his own health.

Adam Treloar gets around Stephenson. Picture SARAH REED

COLLINGWOOD jet Jaidyn Stephenson has dismissed fears a genetic heart condition will affect his AFL career.

Stephenson, 19, delivered the Magpies back-to-back Rising Star nominations for the first time in club history after booting five goals in Friday night’s win against Adelaide.

His management is already in talks with Collingwood over a two-year contract extension, which would take the dasher’s deal through to the end of the 2021 season.

The Ferntree Gully boy takes two beta blockers three times a day and is still undergoing cardiology tests to diagnose a condition discovered after an ECG test.

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“There’s been a little bit more clarity, but there’s still heaps of tests I’m undergoing to get the final diagnosis,” Stephenson told the Herald Sun.

“I’ve been comfortable that it’s minor, and that’s what all the cardiologists have been saying too. I’ve had no symptoms, so there’s no worries.

“It’s a genetic thing. We’re (my family) all asymptomatic so no worries, it’s just precautionary, I guess, with the medication.”

Jaidyn Stephenson starred against the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

Stephenson watched St Kilda’s Dylan Roberton collapse with a suspected irregular heartbeat on Sunday night but said that episode did not make him anxious.

“Not at all. There’s hundreds of different heart irregularities and I’m sure ours are probably different,” Stephenson said.

“Obviously I wish Dylan all the best and hope for a speedy recovery and hopefully he’s back playing soon.”

Multiple clubs ruled out drafting Stephenson last year but after clearing the half-forward on medical grounds the Magpies swooped at No.6.

The lead-up to last November’s draft appeared a challenging one for the Stephenson family as reports surfaced that clubs were ruling Jaidyn out.

“I didn’t feel the pressure of it too much,” Stephenson said.

“But it did take a toll on mum and dad. Especially mum, she was having worries that I wasn’t going to get drafted and all this sort of stuff.

“In that case I was a bit worried and didn’t like seeing mum upset, but I was pretty confident in myself that I would get picked up.”

Stephenson and Will Hoskin-Elliott embrace after the win. Pic: Getty Images

Stephenson grew up a Brisbane Lions supporter but his mum, Raquel, was a Magpies fan.

AFL talent boss Kevin Sheehan rated Stephenson the No.1 player in the draft and coach Nathan Buckley said the freakish talent has added some much-needed speed to the Magpies.

“The consistent thing with Jaidyn has been his work rate and his willingness to pressure,” Buckley said.

“A lot of his pressure is chasing pressure because he closes the distance so quickly.

“When you’ve got a player like that around, not unlike a Cyril Rioli or Paul Puopolo for Hawthorn, you never know when they’re going to get you.

“I think Stevo puts that sort of pressure on.”

Stephenson played in four junior premierships growing up and kicked multiple bags of 10 goals.

The relaxed teenager — who underwent media training with fellow Magpies yesterday — said he plays footy on instinct.

“I’m pretty free. I just play on instinct and have a crack. I just play footy because I enjoy it and enjoy competing one-on-one,” the line-breaker said.