Collingwood star Jaidyn Stephenson has been handed a 10-match ban and a $20,000 fine for betting on three AFL games involving his club. The 20-year-old, winner of the 2018 Rising Star Award, received a total suspension of 22 matches, with 12 of those suspended.
This is the heaviest sanction imposed on a player for breaching the AFL's wagering rules. AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said: "This is the toughest penalty imposed under our wagering rules. There is no clearer instruction – AFL players, club and league officials are banned from betting on Australian rules football in any form."
Stephenson placed three multi-bets totalling $36 on three separate games involving his team. He gave cash to a friend on two occasions for the friend to place the bet, and on the other used the friend's online betting account. The last bet was on the Magpies' round nine match against St Kilda on 18 May, with Stephenson self-reporting to Collingwood a day later.
Dillon confirmed that the investigation found no evidence Stephenson intended to influence the outcomes of the contests in relation to the bets. However, he noted that the player knew he was breaking the AFL rules when he placed the bets. Stephenson's self-reporting contributed to the suspended portion of the match ban.
Stephenson will miss the remainder of the home and away season and the first week of the AFL finals should Collingwood advance. He is still permitted to train with the club.
