ARL 2021: Kangaroo star Jaidyn Stephenson avoids surgery after backyard bike mishap

Jaidyn Stephenson was back in the news for the wrong reasons after a backyard bike trick went wrong, but he has received a timely piece of good news.

AFL Round 19. Carlton v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. 24/07/2021. Jaidyn Stephenson of the Kangaroos kicks a goal during the 1st qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

Jaidyn Stephenson will not require surgery for a fractured hip and has been discharged from hospital as he continues his recovery from a backyard bicycle stunt gone wrong.

The North Melbourne midfielder was attempting a series of tricks on his bike while drinking with housemates when he crashed to the ground.

The Herald Sun revealed that doctors had feared he might need surgery that could have had a long-term impact on his career.

But the Roos are thankful doctors have now ruled out surgery and believe he will make a full recovery.

Roos CEO Ben Amarfio confirmed to the Herald Sun that the former Magpie was on track for a full recovery.

“We are disappointed because it was a real lack of judgement that landed him in this spot, but the good news is it’s a small fracture that doesn’t need an operation, so he’s dodged a worse outcome there,” he said.

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Jaidyn Stephenson has received some good news from doctors.

The Roos must now broker deals with veterans including captain Jack Ziebell and stalwart defender Robbie Tarrant, who might have to be content with one-year deals.

Ziebell enjoyed a strong season and is only 30 but having been pushed out of the midfield might be at an age when he signs a series of rolling one-year deals.

Shaun Atley is also out of contract, while Aaron Hall recently signed a one-year deal.

The Roos have delisted Taylor Garner, Connor Menadue, Dom Tyson and Will Walker and are in pole position to secure SANFL young gun Jason Horne in the draft to add to their impressive young midfield.

North Melbourne is confident in coming weeks it will have 100 per cent vaccination rates across the club’s football department.

Only a handful of AFL players are yet to receive the AFL’s “Covid vaccine education” program, headed by the league’s head of concussion and healthcare governance boss Rachael Elliott.

The program makes clear the health consequences of Covid and the virulence of the delta strain as well as the benefits of vaccines and debunking myths around their usage.

A separate education seminar was conducted for indigenous players using indigenous doctors after the league worked with the National Covid Vaccine Taskforce.

Jaidyn Stephenson attempted the bike trick on the back deck after having had drinks at home with his housemates.

The Kangaroos are not set to return to the track until at least November 22.

Earlier, North Melbourne investigated Stephenson’s fall with his full co-operation and established it had come after he had enjoyed drinks at home with housemates.

The club released a statement on Saturday saying it was “disappointed with his poor judgment and reckless action”, which had put a “dampener” on a positive first season at the club from the former Magpie.

The No. 6 draft pick in 2017, Stephenson played 19 games for the Kangaroos this year and spent significant time through the midfield, averaging 19.4 disposals and kicking 17 goals.

SHOCK CLAIMS STAR ROO TRIED TO HIDE DRUNKEN INJURY

North Melbourne young gun Jaidyn Stephenson asked hospital staff not to notify the Kangaroos after he presented in a wheelchair following a drunken backyard bicycle accident.

Stephenson was taken by ambulance to Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital on Friday after attempting to perform a trick on his bike following drinks with housemates.

A source said Stephenson told staff at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital that he hurt himself after he rode a bike down stairs.

It is claimed that he then begged staff, “Don’t send North my medical report”.

The Kangaroos were made aware of the incident on Friday night.

Stephenson remained in hospital on Saturday and met with a surgeon after X-rays discovered the small hip fracture.

It is unclear if the incident will impact Stephenson’s start to pre-season training, with the Kangaroos returning to the track from November 22.

After being contacted by News Corp Australia, North Melbourne provided a statement on Saturday afternoon confirming the incident.

Kangaroos football boss Brady Rawlings said Stephenson was receiving the best medical care but had made a poor decision.

“Jaidyn’s pretty flat at the moment and he’s a bit sick and sorry,” Rawlings said.

Stephenson is to meet with a surgeon after fracturing his hip.

“After having had drinks at home with his housemates, he attempted to perform a trick on his mountain bike off the back deck. He lost balance and fell onto a concrete paver.

“Initially, after the accident, Jaidyn was able to walk but the pain progressed to a point that an ambulance was called.

“He was kept in overnight and he looks like he might be laid up for a while. At this stage he’ll have a stay in hospital while his surgeon decides whether he’ll need surgery.

“It puts a dampener on what was a promising season for Jaidyn. We’re disappointed with his poor judgment and his reckless action has resulted in quite a painful injury for him.”

Stephenson joined North Melbourne from Collingwood during the trade period last year, with the Magpies sending the 2018 Rising Star winner along with Atu Bosenavulagi and pick 39 to the Kangaroos in exchange for picks 26, 33 and 70.

The No. 6 draft pick in 2017, he played 19 games for the Kangaroos this year and spent significant time through the midfield, averaging 19.4 disposals and kicking 17 goals.

The injury hiccup comes after Stephenson was forced to apologise for making controversial comments on Instagram in July that the “media overplays” Covid and it would not be “such a big thing” if there was no media.