Pie flyer scotches fears for his heart

COLLINGWOOD jet Jaidyn Stephenson has dismissed fears a genetic heart condition would affect his AFL career.

Stephenson, 19, delivered the Magpies consecutive Rising Star nominations for the first time in club history after booting five goals in Friday night’s win against Adelaide.

The Ferntree Gully boy takes two beta blockers three times every day and is still having cardiology tests to diagnose a condition discovered after an ECG test.

“There’s been a little bit more clarity, but there’s still heaps of tests I’m undergoing to get the final diagnosis,” Stephenson said yesterday.

“I’ve been comfortable that it’s minor, and that’s what all the cardiologists have been saying, too. I’ve had no symptoms, so there’s no worries.

“It’s a genetic thing. We’re [my family] all asymptomatic so no worries, it’s just precautionary, I guess, with the medication.”

Stephenson watched St Kilda’s Dylan Roberton collapse with a suspected irregular heartbeat on Sunday night but said that did not make him anxious. “Not at all. There’s hundreds of different heart irregularities and I’m sure ours are probably different,” he said.

“Obviously I wish Dylan all the best and hope for a speedy recovery and hopefully he’s back playing soon.”

Several clubs ruled out drafting Stephenson last year but after clearing the half-forward on medical grounds the Magpies swooped at No.6.