Last week, we wrote of Josh Thomas’ career-high five goals against Carlton.
It’s a rare feat for a non-key forward to kick a bag of five, these days.
But it’s rarer still for it to be done by a first-year player.
It’s something that makes Jaidyn Stephenson’s five goals against Adelaide on Friday night all the more meritorious.
Stephenson is the third Magpie this century to kick five in a game during his debut season.
He joins Darcy Moore (five goals against the Western Bulldogs in round 17, 2015) and Alex Fasolo (five goals against Essendon in round 19, 2011) with the biggest bags by a first-year Magpie since the year 2000.
Most goals in a game by a first-year Magpie since 2000:
5 – Alex Fasolo (2011), Darcy Moore (2015), Jaidyn Stephenson (2018)
4 – John Anthony (2008), Mason Cox (2016)
3 – Ben Johnson (2000), Leon Davis (2000), David King (2004), Alan Toovey (2007), Marty Clarke (2007), Chris Dawes (2008), Lachlan Keeffe (2011), Sam Dwyer (2013), Ben Kennedy (2013), Tim Broomhead (2014), Ben Crocker (2016 – twice)
Alex Fasolo celebrates one of his five goals against Essendon in round 19, 2011.
Stephenson among a select bunch
Jaidyn Stephenson is the third Magpie this century to kick five in a game during his debut season.