Jaidyn returns favour to Pies

AFL Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson has only started repaying the faith that Collingwood showed in him.

His stunning debut season has earned the classy 19-yearold forward the Rising Star award.

Stephenson has played every game and kicked 34 goals, becoming a key member of the recast Magpies attack.

It is a far cry from draft week last year, when Stephenson and his family started worrying whether he would be picked up.

Word had spread that Stephenson has a rare heart condition — he takes daily medication — and that gave some clubs second thoughts.

But the Magpies recruited him with pick No.6 and it is proving an inspired selection.

“I’m not much of a crier or a teary person but I did tear up that night — it was just pure relief,” Stephenson said.

“On draft night I said I had to repay the faith to Collingwood.

“This is the first 2 per cent of me paying them back.”

Stephenson’s mother Raquel and sister Tegan have the same heart condition. They attended yesterday’s awards.

Stephenson is the first Collingwood player to win the Rising Star award — coach Nathan Buckley was at Brisbane when he took out the inaugural award in 1993.

Stephenson was the favourite and eight of the 11 judges gave him the maximum five votes.

Stephenson polled 52 votes, while Adelaide defender Tom Doedee was 10 votes behind in second.

Stephenson completed a memorable double for the Magpies after Chloe Molloy claimed the AFLW Rising Star award.

RISING STAR VOTES

1. Jaidyn Stephenson (Coll).. 52 2. Tom Doedee (Adel) ......... 42 3. Alex Witherden (Bris)....... 32 4. Jack Higgins (Rich)............ 11 5 (eq). Jack Henry (Geel) ..... 10 5 (eq). Oliver Florent (Syd) .. 10