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Staggering truth about Jaidyn Stephenson's 65m torp exposed

More than a week after Jaidyn Stephenson was banned for betting on Collingwood games, the background to one of the signature goals of the season has been uncovered.

The 20-year-old was suspended for 10 games after placing three multi-bets on himself, his own team and his teammates earlier this season.

The wagers, totalling $36, were all unsuccessful.

Two of the bets included Stephenson to kick a goal and to kick multiple goals, while another was on the Pies to win by a particular margin.

The Age revealed on Thursday that the youngster’s 65-metre torp in the dying stages of Collingwood’s win over St Kilda actually played a part in one of his multis falling over.

He reportedly bet on the Pies to win by 15-39 points, with that goal extending the margin from 40 to 46.

A goal to St Kilda and a late behind to Collingwood saw Stephenson’s side win by 41 points.

The report claims the AFL decided kicking that goal against his own bet proved he was not attempting to fix the result for financial gain.

How he avoided a life ban

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has revealed how lucky Jaidyn Stephenson was not to get a life ban for flouting AFL gambling rules.

Stephenson choked back tears last week while attempting to explain the circumstances behind his "incredibly stupid" decisions to bet on matches he was involved in.

Debate raged about the severity of the penalty after he was given a 22-game ban and a $20,000 fine for placing three bets on games involving Collingwood.

Jaidyn Stephenson pictured celebrating Collingwood's win over St Kilda. Pic: Getty
Jaidyn Stephenson pictured celebrating Collingwood's win over St Kilda. Pic: Getty

He was given the chance to play again this year if the Pies make the finals after the league suspended 12 matches of the sentence, which will apply for the remainder of his career.

While the sanction for the 20-year-old is the heftiest the AFL has ever handed down over gambling infringements, it could have been much worse.

The fact the Collingwood player reported himself to officials almost certainly lessened his punishment.

“Everyone, including Jaidyn Stephenson, accepts that for the game itself — and as a legitimate punishment — 10 weeks is fair enough," McGuire told Triple M’s Hot Breakfast on Thursday.

“He’s probably had the most innocuous of bets, other than the fact it had Collingwood in it. So that takes it from innocuous to high level. He self-reports, so that takes it back a bit. But there are all these other elements in there.”