Former North Melbourne and Collingwood forward Jaidyn Stephenson has spoken for the first time since announcing his shock retirement.

North Melbourne forward and Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson has reportedly retired from the AFL, despite still being under contract.

Former Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson has announced his retirement from the AFL aged just 25.

Former Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson’s AFL career is over, despite the North Melbourne speedster still having a year to run on his contract.

Jaidyn Stephenson has revealed why he decided to hang up the boots with a year left on his contract. See every AFL list change so far.

The 25-year-old could make an immediate comeback in his original stripes where it all began.

A forward in just his mid-20s, who was part of Collingwood’s controversial “fire sale” of players heading out the door, has retired.

A forward in just his mid-20s, who was part of Collingwood’s controversial “fire sale” of players heading out the door, has retired.

A forward in just his mid-20s, who was part of Collingwood’s controversial “fire sale” of players heading out the door, has retired.

A forward in just his mid-20s, who was part of Collingwood’s controversial “fire sale” of players heading out the door, has retired.