Jaidyn Stephenson has lifted the lid on one of the most memorable lines from Collingwood’s stunning 2018 preliminary final win over Richmond, a sledge delivered by Mason Cox in the middle of his career-best performance.
The 211cm American dominated the air that night, clunking eight contested marks and leaving Tigers defenders reeling. One of those came at the expense of Trent Cotchin, and Stephenson was right there when it happened.
“He took a big speccie over Trent,” Stephenson recalled on the Sacked podcast. “I was standing nearby at his feet. He takes the mark, looks at him on the ground and goes, ‘This is my field, boy,’ in his American accent.”
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From prelim heroics to grand final heartbreak
Collingwood’s win set up a grand final against West Coast, and Stephenson admits he feared the Eagles had their measure. The teenager kicked two goals in 117 seconds during the first quarter blitz, even letting himself dream of individual glory.
“I kicked the second one and started thinking … ‘Where’s my Norm Smith Medal going? A little spot above my bed maybe.’ But it ended up not to be. I didn’t really do a whole lot after that unfortunately.”
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The Magpies led deep into the final term before Dom Sheed’s clutch goal snatched the premiership for the Eagles. Looking back, Stephenson wonders if a late Adam Treloar kick aimed at Brody Mihocek instead of Jordan De Goey might have changed the result.
“At the end of the day, we lost by five points,” he said, adding he was thrilled many of his former teammates eventually tasted flag success in 2023.