AFL 2024: Dylan Stephens impresses on first day of Kangaroos’ pre-season

A former top five pick has arrived at Arden Street in peak condition as the Kangaroos look to turn over a new leaf.

Former Adelaide utility Ben Davis has begun pre-season training at North Melbourne in a bid to secure a second chance in the AFL. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Kangaroos recruit Dylan Stephens has impressed on his first day at Arden Street with a win in the pre-season time trial as he pushes to establish himself at the senior level in 2024.

The former No.5 draft pick took out North Melbourne’s 1.8km shuttle run ahead of Jy Simpkin, Darcy Tucker and Harry Sheezel as the Roos returned to the track on Monday under the watchful eye of coach Alastair Clarkson.

North Melbourne handed Sydney a future first-round selection and pick 44 in this year’s draft for pick 25 and the left-footer in last month’s trade period, with the wingman hoping to cement himself in the side after 43 games in four years at the Swans, including 13 last season.

North Melbourne shuttle run winner Dylan Stephens with coach Alastair Clarkson on the first day of the Kangaroos’ pre-season training at Arden Street on Monday. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Veteran Liam Shiels, who received a one-year contract extension last month to play on into a 16th season, impressed with a seventh-placed finish in the shuttle run, while ruckman Tristan Xerri displayed his mobility as he rounded out the top 10.

Tarryn Thomas also joined first to fourth-year players on the track at Arden Street but did not participate in the time trial, while Luke Davies-Uniacke also skipped the run as he works his way back to full fitness following the foot injury he sustained in a surfing mishap before round 24.

Former Adelaide utility Ben Davis is among four North Melbourne VFL players invited to train at Arden Street during the pre-season to help with numbers. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Former AFL players Ben Davis (Adelaide) and Connor Downie (Hawthorn) trained at Arden Street as part of a group of players from the Kangaroos’ VFL side invited to join in pre-season sessions this summer.

Davis moved to Melbourne ahead of the 2023 season after he was delisted by the Crows following 11 games in six seasons.

The 187cm utility was used more as a defender in his time at AFL level but was Adelaide’s SANFL leading goalkicker in 2018.

Downie, a halfback-wing with a penetrating left foot kick, played two games for Hawthorn in his first season after joining the club through its Next Generation Academy but was delisted at the end of 2022 after struggling to overcome injury issues.