'It's just stupidity': Footy fans rip Wayne Carey over bizarre rant

Suspended Collingwood youngster Jaidyn Stephenson has become the target of a bizarre piece of criticism from AFL great Wayne Carey.

Stephenson, 20, has been banned since round 12 after being found to have placed multiple bets on his own team, himself and his teammates.

The Pies have won just two games since the ban was handed down, suffering big 44-point and 47-point defeats to North Melbourne and GWS respectively.

Collingwood remain in the top four but the losses are stacking up as a number of teams storm home towards the finals.

Stephenson, who is allowed to train with his team, will be available to return from his 10-week ban when September football gets underway.

Banned from playing at any level for Collingwood, the youngster shared snaps of a weekend family holiday in Cairns this week:

The post drew more than 11,000 likes from his followers as well as a comment from West Coast youngster Oscar Allen.

But Stephenson's trip away drew the ire of Carey, who took aim at players for inviting criticism with their social media habits.

The North Melbourne great said he had no problem with Stephenson being on holiday but warned players of the potential consequences – while becoming the first person to question the Pies star.

"For a young kid, he's let the club down (with his betting ban). He's copped his right whack, don't get me wrong, clearly been punished," Carey told Channel 7.

"And he's allowed to go away but surely he's smart enough not to post things like that, like he's having a good time and everything else – which is fine, you're allowed to have a good time.

"But don't post it. Because then what happens from that is he cops a whack from, I'm assuming, people saying 'you've let us down'.

"And then they (players) say 'it's social media, we get this and that said about us' – well, just don't post.

“You don't need to, you bring the heat upon yourself by doing that. It's just stupidity."

Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut questioned the coverage of Stephenson’s holiday:

Carey's remarks in particular garnered a negative response from fans as many defended Stephenson: