Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says a six-to-eight week suspension for Jaidyn Stephenson would have been fair, describing the youngsters betting indiscretion as an “innocent mistake”.
Speaking on SEN on Thursday morning, the day after Stephenson was suspended for 10 matches (plus a 12-game suspended sentence) for placing three bets on recent Magpies games totalling $36, Buckley said he was proud of the way the club had handled the situation.
In particular Buckley praised the leadership of Jeremy Howe – who raised concerns with Stephenson after the round nine win over St Kilda having overheard a throwaway line from Stephenson in the rooms about a teammate costing him money – and football department chief Geoff Walsh.
Buckley said that as soon as he became aware that Stephenson hadnt match-fixed, there was no thought of standing the second-year forward down for the period of the investigation.
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Buckley added that he didnt discuss the matter with Stephenson until this week, believing that the issue was being taken care of by people like Walsh.
The coach said he was amazed at how any AFL player could make a decision like Stephenson had given the levels of education surrounding betting, but stressed that he wasnt angry with his player.
Nathan Buckley and Jaidyn Stephenson.Credit:Craig Golding
“Im not angry with him. Hes just an open book … thats an amazing ideal,” Buckley said.
“In many ways speaking to him briefly, he is relieved to be on the other side.
“It makes very little sense. Unless youre in Jaidyns body, in his situation at the time, I dont think you can contemplate [making that decision].
“I see him as innocent. It was an innocent mistake, it was an immature mistake … I dont think there was any malicious action or intent. The young fellas going to learn a lot from it.”
Questioned about the length of the penalty, BRead More – Source
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says a six-to-eight week suspension for Jaidyn Stephenson would have been fair, describing the youngsters betting indiscretion as an “innocent mistake”.
Speaking on SEN on Thursday morning, the day after Stephenson was suspended for 10 matches (plus a 12-game suspended sentence) for placing three bets on recent Magpies games totalling $36, Buckley said he was proud of the way the club had handled the situation.
In particular Buckley praised the leadership of Jeremy Howe – who raised concerns with Stephenson after the round nine win over St Kilda having overheard a throwaway line from Stephenson in the rooms about a teammate costing him money – and football department chief Geoff Walsh.
Buckley said that as soon as he became aware that Stephenson hadnt match-fixed, there was no thought of standing the second-year forward down for the period of the investigation.
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Buckley added that he didnt discuss the matter with Stephenson until this week, believing that the issue was being taken care of by people like Walsh.
The coach said he was amazed at how any AFL player could make a decision like Stephenson had given the levels of education surrounding betting, but stressed that he wasnt angry with his player.
Nathan Buckley and Jaidyn Stephenson.Credit:Craig Golding
“Im not angry with him. Hes just an open book … thats an amazing ideal,” Buckley said.
“In many ways speaking to him briefly, he is relieved to be on the other side.
“It makes very little sense. Unless youre in Jaidyns body, in his situation at the time, I dont think you can contemplate [making that decision].
“I see him as innocent. It was an innocent mistake, it was an immature mistake … I dont think there was any malicious action or intent. The young fellas going to learn a lot from it.”
Questioned about the length of the penalty, BRead More – Source
