Woods pick flashy half-forward

COLLINGWOOD’S Jaidyn Stephenson cried tears of joy last night pondering what his late grandfather would have felt at his meteoric rise.

The Stephenson family are die-hard Pies, with the 18-yearold raised watching “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” asking his nan to mimic quizmaster Eddie McGuire.

But that emotion might also have been relief, as the Pies dramatically cleared him of any medical risk despite a genetic heart issue.

Stephenson admitted last night after being taken at pick six that the issue with the electrical system of his heart was not yet fully diagnosed.

But the flashy half-forward, who lit up the TAC Cup this year this stunning performances, says it will not stop him from any aspect of AFL.

His selection capped a draft where the Pies took Tyler Brown, son of Gavin, brother of Callum, after matching Port’s Adelaide’s pick 50.

They also selected highleaping 188cm forward Nathan Murphy, the former junior cricket star seen by some as a top-10 selection.

The 189cm Eastern Ranges midfielder/half forward Stephenson wowed recruiters with five goals and 28 disposals in the Under-18 championships and was best-afield in the All Star game.

“I am not much of a crying person but I definitely teared up,’’ Stephenson said.

“It has got something to do with the electrics of the heart, so it came up in an ECG. Structurally it’s all fine but in the ECG it shows a bit of a funny result.

“It is still not yet diagnosed. It’s still a query and we are doing genetic testing but it’s not diagnosable yet.

“I am on basic propranolol (beta blockers), I am on two of them three times a day and it’s the only hassle.”

“Honestly there is no worstcase.

“All of the other blokes here are at as much risk as I am, so there is no risk.’’