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What Stephenson told prospective Power teammates
Andrew Slevison • November 25th, 2025 3:50 pm
Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee says Jaidyn Stephenson is serious about his attempted AFL return.
The former Collingwood and North Melbourne rising star is training with the Power in a bid to resurrect the career he walked away from when he quit the Roos in October 2024.
Rozee trained alongside Stephenson at Alberton on Monday and said the 26-year-old addressed his potential teammates with words of assurance.
“He’s been great since he’s come over,” Rozee said of the 2018 Rising Star winner on SEN SA Breakfast.
“He’s a really good guy. He pretty much said to the group, ‘I want to give it another crack, I’m here to work hard’.
“We’ve got a whole new coaching group so everyone is forming first opinions and he’s another one to try and do that.
“It’s not just him, we’ve got four people trying out for a couple of list spots so they’re all going to have to really prove themselves and I’m sure the coaching group will make that decision when it comes.
“For him it’s an exciting opportunity. He can start from scratch and if he works really hard and fits into what we’re trying to do then I’m sure he might get an opportunity.”
Rozee told Adelaide media on Monday: “He's a great personality, and he's made it pretty clear that he's willing to come in and work hard and earn the respect of everyone.
“I think (Jaidyn) coming to Adelaide and maybe getting away from Melbourne is an opportunity for him, and the space that our group is in at the moment, it's an extremely young group, so he probably sees himself as more of a leader. He’s got a couple of months to really prove himself, so it's exciting for him.”
Stephenson played a total of 122 games and kicked 130 goals for the Pies and Roos between 2018 and 2024.
One of his prospective teammates in Todd Marshall is set for a major role change in 2026.
The 116-game, 159-goal forward has spent his career to date as a lead-up key forward but new Power coach Josh Carr is eager to see him in defence.
Rozee reckons the 27-year-old has the attributes required to make a decent defender of himself.
“That was Carry’s idea. He’s been training with the backs for the last week or so,” Rozee added.
“I think it’s really exciting for him, a new opportunity under a new coach and a new line coach.
“He provides something that our other backs don’t have. He’s a really good ball user by foot, we all know that, and he’s really smart as well which will be great to have back there.
“I’m not sure how that fits into the rest of the back six. They’ve got their own strengths, they’re really good in their battles and we’ve got some good key defenders that can lock down.
“But he’s sort of that hybrid who can make a bit of difference. You might even see him take some kick-ins.”
And for his own role in 2026, skipper Rozee is still planning to spend time across half-back as well as through the midfield.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what it will look like in Round 1,” he said further.
“I do know it will probably be some sort of split between the two depending on how the rest of the team shapes up. That will be based on injury or who is getting picked at that time.
“I’m not actually too fussed. I enjoy playing both roles, I can impact the game from half-back, it’s not just me going back there to fill a spot. I feel like I can still impact highly and provide leadership.
“It will be some sort of midfield/half-back split.”
Listen to the full chat with Rozee below:
