North Melbourne's Jaidyn Stephenson fractured his hip attempting to perform a trick on his mountain bike during drinks with teammates at his home on Friday night.
The 22-year-old was admitted to hospital after landing painfully on his hip.
“Jaidyn’s pretty flat at the moment and he’s a bit sick and sorry,” North Melbourne GM football, Brady Rawlings, said in a statement released by the club on Saturday.
“After having had drinks at home with his housemates, he attempted to perform a trick on his mountain bike off the back deck.
"He lost balance and fell onto a concrete paver.
“Initially, after the accident, Jaidyn was able to walk but the pain progressed to a point that an ambulance was called."
Stephenson remained in hospital overnight with a small fracture to his hip.
“He was kept in overnight and he looks like he might be laid up for a while," Rawlings continued.
"At this stage he’ll have a stay in hospital while his surgeon decides whether he’ll need surgery.
“It puts a dampener on what was a promising season for Jaidyn.
"We’re disappointed with his poor judgment and his reckless action has resulted in quite a painful injury for him.”
The former number six draft pick kicked 17 goals in 19 games this season, but his 2021 campaign was interrupted by a wrist injury that required surgery.
The ex-Collingwood player averaged 19.4 disposals, 5.7 marks and 2.5 tackles as North Melbourne managed just four wins for the season, finishing last on the ladder.
It's not the first time Stephenson has been in the news for non-footy related incidents.
In 2019, he was suspended for 10 games and hit with a $20,000 fine for betting on Collingwood games.
Earlier this year he was heavily criticised and forced to apologise for posting a video to social media saying the "media overplays" COVID-19.
