Former Collingwood forward Jaidyn Stephenson has opened on his shock exit from the club.
The 21-year old on Thursday was traded to North Melbourne along with Atu Bosenavulagi and Pick 39 for Pick 26, Pick 33 and a future fourth-round selection.
Speaking on SENโs Bob and Andyย less than an hour after the move, Stephenson revealed he learnt he was on the trade block just days before the exchange period.
โMy manager mentioned I might be traded. It was a bit of a shock at the time but I have now got my head around it,โ he said.
โI wanted to stay. I loved my time at the club and the relationships I built but Iโm sure I can do that at North Melbourne.โ
Stephenson explained that he had heard nothing from Collingwood about a potential trade and had to call coach Nathan Buckley himself to shed light on his future.
โI heard nothing from the club so I gave Bucks a call myself to see what was going on and he pretty much said look for a trade as aggressively as you want and weโll try to facilitate it,โhe said.
โThere wasnโt a very clear reasoning but I think itโs all worked out for the best.
โHe just said he doesnโt know if Iโve allowed myself to open up to the group, which I donโt necessarily agree with but if thatโs how he saw it heโs the coach and thatโs his prerogative.
โIโll be endearing myself to my new teammates and coaches and Iโll hopefully put my best foot forward there if he thinks thatโs what my problem was.
โI wouldnโt say peed off (with his response), I was a little bit shocked. Thatโs probably the best word to use. But Iโm very grateful for Collingwood, I have nothing but good things to say about my time there.
โHe also said he saw a few issues which he didnโt like in a footballer and thatโs probably completely fair enough. It was quite a challenging year.
โIf youโre going to judge me off one year, thatโs their problem, not mine. Iโm working hard to prove people wrong.โ
Stephenson said he was surprised by the reason he was being put up for trade, with Buckley telling him he hadn't 'opened himself up to the group'.
"He just said he doesn't know if I allowed myself to open up to the group, which I don't necessarily agree with, but if that's the way he saw it, he's the coach. But I'll definitely be endearing myself to my new teammates and coaches if that's what he thought my problem was."
Stephenson played 54 games for the Pies and booted 76 goals, winning the 208 Rising Star Award.
