Dylan Stephens Biography

Dylan Stephens is officially a North Melbourne player after securing a move from Sydney.

The Swans have parted with Stephens and pick 25 and received North's end of first-round pick next year plus its pick 44 this year.

"We've been tracking him for a while and believe he has some great attributes to add to our midfield with more opportunity at AFL level," North footy boss Todd Viney said of Stephens.

"He's got some great athletic attributes, and we think he’ll complement our group enormously with his footy nous and professionalism."

Dylan Stephens says it was an unusual experience having to deal with constant speculation about his contract in 2021.

"Throughout the season when I wasn't playing I was getting approached by other clubs, constantly, as well as trying to play footy. That's (contract) the last thing on your mind at the time," he said.

"It's things in the media coming out about that, your teammates seeing that too, it can be weird, but lucky for me I just put it aside and focussed on what was at hand."

But he never wanted to leave after forming a bond with the rest of the young Swans. He said the spending times in hubs over the past two years had been great for building relationships.

"I always wanted to stay, I've only spent two years and love it here," he said.

"How much time we spent together, the tough times of being away from home and we're all in it together. We got a great group of young blokes. We're a tight-knit group and the last thing you want to do is leave that after only two years."

Dylan Stephens makes his AFL debut for Sydney at the Gabba with 11 disposals (10 kicks and a handball), 5 marks and 4 tackles in an 8-point loss to Richmond.