STAR Geelong defender Tom Stewart has labelled being able to prepare for this year’s final series as a “pinch yourself moment” after an injury derailed his 2021 campaign.
The reigning Carji Greeves medalist damaged his lisfranc ligament at training ahead of Round 22 last year and didn’t play again as the Cats reached a preliminary final.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of this team at the moment,” Stewart said.
“We’re all doing it for each other, we’re all loving it, and we’re enjoying the ride along the way.
“It’s a really special moment to be back there again.”
The qualifying final will be the first for small forward Tyson Stengle at AFL level.
The first-year Cat bookended his home-and-away season by replicating his four-goal effort from Round 1 against Essendon in Saturday night’s 85-point smashing of West Coast.
Stengle sits on 46 goals, and Stewart said there were signs early after the former Tiger and Crow’s arrival at the club he had something to offer.
“I’m not going to lie to you; I think it was the second or third session; Tys made me look absolutely silly,” Stewart said.
“I was like, ‘boys, we’ve got an absolutely special one here.
“He turned me inside out, baulked me, and kicked one (goal) over his head, and I was like,
‘yeah, I’m glad he’s on our team’.
“He’s a special kid. He doesn’t say much, but we’ve really embraced him and the person he is.
“He’s made some mistakes in the past, but he’s come in, and he’s bought into the Geelong system.
“He understands how important it is for us, and we love him for it.”
Click below to listen to the full interview with Tom Stewart.
