Does Jaidyn Stephenson have the AFL Rising Star award in the bag?
Many believe so, including Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.
Following the Pies’ 31-point win against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, Buckley said he would be “disappointed” if first-year forward livewire Stephenson did not claim this season’s Rising Star award.
But there is a 19-year-old Lions defender quietly going about his business producing elite numbers in just his second season.
And while Stephenson is receiving the majority of media attention in Victoria, Brisbane Coach Chris Fagan believes Alex Witherden would be as deserving of the rookie award.
“It’s interesting ‘Bucks’ says that because I’d say the same thing about Alex Witherden, albeit it’s a little bit different because he’s a second-year player,” Fagan said post-game.
“But if you look at his numbers, I think Alex averages around 24-25 possessions as a rebound defender.”
Saturday night’s fixture proved no different as Witherden, even compounded with the loss of teammate Darcy Gardiner to a shoulder injury in the opening term, had the ability to have a major influence en route to 30 disposals and a game-high 11 marks.
Since making his AFL debut in round 14 last year, Witherden has missed just one game, and after 29 career games is already ranked as ‘elite’ in several areas:
Career averages:
- 23.4 disposals (elite)
- 6.9 marks (elite)
- 4.8 rebound 50s (elite)
“They’re the sort of numbers that get people selected in All Australian teams,” Fagan said.
“He’s been elite over the course of two seasons, so it’ll be an interesting battle (for the Rising Star award) between those two.
“[They are] both probably deserving winners.
“‘Bucks’ sees his boy every week and I see Alex every week and he’s been fantastic.”
Despite a gallant effort, the Lions were outplayed for the major part in its defeat to the Pies.
The Lions, led by Dayne Beams’ 11 disposals to quarter-time, dominated early but failed to convert it onto the scoreboard.
Beams (33 disposals) and Luke Hodge (24) were both prolific in the midfield and across half-back.
Jarrod Berry (18) showed plenty of promise, while Dayne Zorko (14) was tagged and well held all night by Levi Greenwood.
“Collingwood, particularly in the second half, outplayed us in contested possessions and clearances. They were much better than us,” Fagan said.
“But I thought we missed a golden opportunity in the first quarter to establish a bit more dominance than we did.”
“We had 22 inside
“It felt like we should have gotten a better return for our effort and that might’ve put on more scoreboard pressure, and that may have made the game turn out a little differently.”
The Lions (4-16) are currently 16th on the ladder and have lost four games in-a-row, but two of those games were decided by less than six points.
Next weekend’s Q Clash fixture against the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium presents Fagan and his men with a ‘golden opportunity’ to secure their fifth win of the season.
