Suspended Collingwood star Jaiydn Stephenson will line up in the VFL this week after his suspension ends on Friday night.
The Magpies have confirmed the loophole that allows Stephenson to play his first game since round 12, a day after the AFL side plays Essendon at the MCG.
Stephenson had been banned for 10 weeks after he admitted to gambling on AFL games that he was involved in.
The 20-year-old will take on the Box Hill Hawks, and will be available for the AFL finals the next fortnight.
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Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley explained to reporters on Wednesday how Stephenson will be able to play.
“We had a small win this week — and fortuitous that we had a Friday night game this weekend — so Jaidyn plays in the VFL on Saturday, which gives him a run around,” Buckley told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
“If we were scheduled to play on a Saturday night it wouldn’t have happened.
“If you’ve missed as much footy as he has, he’s looking forward to getting involved in the cut and thrust as soon as possible. He’s rapt the all-clear came through.”
Buckley went on to praise the youngster for his work ethic, as well as how he conducted himself after the ban.
“His attitude and his workrate has been amazing,” he said.
“We couldn’t have asked anymore form him, the way he’s applied himself into his training block.”
Stephenson was the number six pick in 2017, and won the Rising Star award in 2018, as well as playing all four finals and booting 38 goals for the year.
