Potential round one debutant Jaidyn Stephenson is as physically gifted as any player on Collingwood's list and is ready to step up to senior football straight away, according to captain Scott Pendlebury.

Stephenson, pick No. 6 in last year's National Draft, is firming to be included in the Magpies' side for the club's opening round clash against Hawthorn.

The 19-year-old averaged 13 touches from his two JLT Community Series games and displayed his ability to run and break the lines.

"He's unique. I haven't seen anyone who's come into our organisation like Jaidyn," Pendlebury said on Thursday.

"There's quick, and there's really quick. And he's that really quick type.

"He's done some things at training that you can't believe from such a young player."

Stephenson is blessed with breakaway pace (he ran 2.95 seconds for the 20m sprint at last year's Draft Combine) and he showed in games a real ability to kick goals through the midfield while playing for Vic Metro in last year's National Championships.

He collected 28 disposals and kicked five goals in a best afield performance against South Australia midway through last year, before winning the medal for best on ground in the All Star game at the MCG on Grand Final Day.

"'Bucks' (coach Nathan Buckley) said it a while ago but he's the quickest guy on our list and it's something we don't have a lot of in our side," Pendlebury said.

"A guy that's legitimately that quick that when you see him going for the footy, you just run forward of it because you know he's going to beat whoever is running there.

"Whether that's early in the year that he comes in or whenever that is I know he'll be ready. He's a kid with a great appetite to learn and it's going to hold him in good stead for a long time."



Jaidyn Stephenson has greatly impressed during his first pre-season as a Magpie.