Collingwood has re-signed exciting first-year player Jaidyn Stephenson for an extra two years after the 19-year-old’s impressive start to his AFL career.
The Magpies also extended the contracts of veteran Ben Reid and youngsters Brayden Sier and Max Lynch.
Stephenson has made an immediate impression since debuting in round one, hitting a high point with five goals in the Pies round four win against the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval.
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He is averaging 14 disposals, three tackles and 1.3 goals a game playing mainly as a small forward while he learns the ropes.
Stephenson was taken with pick six in the 2017 National Draft and was considered a risk by many clubs, including Collingwood, due to having a heart condition.
One week it's Sam Murray. The next, it's Jaidyn Stephenson. It's been a pleasure to watch our Rising Stars go to work in the first four rounds. This, from Stephenson, is as good as we'll see from a first-year player #FOREVER pic.twitter.com/G9AcWp7mEH
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) April 16, 2018
Reid has missed the past three rounds due to an Achilles injury but is considered a good chance to return this Friday night to face the Western Bulldogs. He signed a one-year extension.
The 29-year-old is seen as a valuable leader at the club and has plenty to offer the Magpies going forward, both on and off the field.
"Ben has a role to play in the team that everyone – teammates and coaching staff in particular – recognises. His game sense and forward craft help the attack tick," Collingwood list manager Ned Guy told the club’s website this week
"He also has experience to pass on to the likes of Jaidyn, who is starting out on his football journey.
"Ideally, we have young players like Jaidyn, Max and Brayden come through the Collingwood system with guidance from seasoned teammates and premiership players like Ben, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom."
Both Sier, a powerfully built midfielder, and Lynch, a 200cm ruckman, are yet to debut for the Pies.