Retired at the young age of 25, a former Rising Star winner

At the age of 25, Jaidyn Stephenson, who had previously won the Rising Star award, has decided to retire from the Australian Football League. He still has one year left on his contract with North Melbourne.

Following his selection with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 national draft, Stephenson appeared to be on the verge of becoming a prominent figure in the sport. He kicked 38 goals and was awarded the AFL Rising Star award while playing for Collingwood in the year thereafter.

Six years later, however, and following a contentious transfer to North Melbourne, the diminutive forward-winger has decided to retire after two years. According to those who spoke with him, Stephenson has lost his enthusiasm for the game.

Stephenson was one of the players who was dealt to North Melbourne, Adam Treloar was sent to the Western Bulldogs, and Tom Phillips was sent to Hawthorn as part of the controversial “fire sale” that took place at Collingwood at the end of the year 2020. The club was attempting to resolve its salary cap issues at the time.

The contract that Stephenson accepted at North was for five years and was worth approximately $500,000 per year.

To acquire Stephenson, Atu Bosenavulagi, and pick 39 from Collingwood, the Kangaroos had to part with two second-round picks (No. 26 and 33) as well as a potential fourth-round pick in the subsequent round. During that time period, this was regarded as a trade return that was below value for the successful rising star.

Meanwhile, St. Kilda has removed Tim Membrey from their roster, making it possible for him to sign with Collingwood as a free agent. Membrey is a more experienced forward.

It is highly probable that the 30-year-old player will join the Magpies as a delisted free agent when the free agency window for the Australian Football League opens later this week. According to sources knowledgeable about the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity, he and the club had reached an agreement regarding a payout for his contract for the following year.Membrey has already been successful in passing a medical examination at Collingwood, and he is on the verge of joining the club as a support player for a forward line that has struggled for depth at various points throughout the season due to injuries that have affected key players.

Membrey’s St. Kilda teammate Jack Hayes, who is younger and has the versatility to play in the ruck or as a key forward, has also been a subject of close consideration by Collingwood. However, two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the Magpies are likely to favor Membrey, who played 178 games for the Saints after beginning his career with a single game at Sydney.

To this point in his career, Membrey has scored 293 goals, including 30 goals in 19 games played so far this season. When he kicked 30 goals or more in a season, it was the seventh time in his ten seasons with the Saints that he had accomplished this feat.