Collingwood’s hierarchy shocked at revelations Jaidyn Stephenson had bet on AFL games

Collingwood’s CEO and football boss have admitted they were surprised by Jaidyn Stephenson’s betting confession given how much gambling education players receive. Will he return in the finals?

Will Jaidyn Stephenson play finals? Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Collingwood hierarchy admitted they were surprised that rising star Jaidyn Stephenson would compromise his career and the club's premiership push by betting on football.

As the Magpies dealt with the fallout of Stephenson's 10-week suspension, footy expert David King said the club had lost a potent member of its forward line at a crucial time.

“Collingwood’s uniqueness this year was the full-forward position,” King writes in Thursday’s Herald Sun.

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“Stephenson will be available for the finals series but where will the Magpies reside on the ladder at that stage?

“The physical management of Jordan De Goey now becomes imperative.

“He had an injury interrupted pre-season and has had a history of setbacks.

“Expect the loss of Stephenson for the rest of the home-and-away season to have serious ramifications on Collingwood’s scoring power.”

The 22-game ban - 10 of which is suspended - means Stephenson cannot play any football until the first week of the finals.

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Jaidyn Stephenson walks into his press conference with Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson and football boss Geoff Walsh (back left). Picture: Andrew Henshaw

When asked if he was surprised by Stephenson’s decision to gamble on AFL games despite all the education players receive on the subject, Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh replied:

“Yes. I think when first hearing the bald facts you would be surprised because of the nature of the realisation that it is blatantly against the rules of the game.

“And that there is ample education.

“I don’t see that anyone, and I've seen this year in year out for a number of years, can say that we don’t have enough education in our game.

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“And the fact that Jaidyn right up front from the day he came to me and admitted on questioning that he shouldn’t be doing this.

“So that speaks for at least the acknowledgment of the education.”

Walsh said he went through a range of emotions when Stephenson first reported his indiscretions to him just over a month ago.

“Obviously the emotion first of all is disappointment for Jaidyn,” he said.

“Disappointment for the consequences you know lie ahead for him and the footy club.

“And I think there’s frustration because as it’s been alluded to in the AFL’s and our own statements, the rules are clear and the education around matters like gambling these days are clear and abundant.

“So there is no excuse for either not knowing or ignorance, so there are all those sorts of emotions that go through your head immediately when Jaidyn breaks the news to you.”

Walsh admitted Stephenson would leave a big hole to fill, with injured forward Jamie Elliott (hamstring) set to miss another two games.

Stephenson was clearly shattered as he faced the media. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Youngster Josh Daicos - son of club legend Peter- is considered a big chance to come in this week.

Walsh said Stephenson faced a huge task to break back into the Collingwood side this September.

“Hopefully we make the finals and we’re going OK at the moment,” he said.

“If we’re going well enough, then I think he (Stephenson) will find it tough no doubt.

“As good a young talent as he is, 10 weeks on the sidelines out of a game that is so tough will be a really strong challenge for him to regain a spot in the side

“Let’s hope it’s a challenge we need to consider because there’s a lot of footy to be played.”