Star Geelong defender Tom Stewart has reassured of the Cats’ “hunger” ahead of a redemptive 2024 campaign, but he conceded he is aware of the worrying “narrative” clouding his club this pre-season.
The experienced Cats, who missed last year’s finals series after claiming premiership silverware in 2022, enter the new campaign with varying expectations.
Having managed just ten wins and a 12th-place ladder finish in ‘23, does Geelong have the talent and intrinsic drive to stage yet another flag assault? Or, are they finally destined to fall off the cliff after perpetual title contention?
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Stewart has been one of Chris Scott’s most reliable lieutenants since first donning the hoops in 2016, claiming Geelong’s best-and-fairest award in 2021 and 2023.
The second-year vice-captain is preparing to embark on his eighth AFL season after the Cats originally drafted him with Pick 40 in 2016.
Amid a pre-season where his side isn’t cemented as a finals contender, the Cats’ number-one defensive general was expansive about why his club fell short last season.
Stewart cited the absences of club champions Patrick Dangerfield (lung) and Cam Guthrie (toe) last season as reasons for Geelong’s shortfalls, but the 30-year-old also admitted his Cats “weren’t up to scratch” often enough in 2023.
“I think when you lose two best-and-fairests for a lot of the season that probably doesn’t help us,” Stewart told Foxfooty.com.au at Kayo’s 2024 season launch.
“Obviously, parts of our game weren’t up to scratch and we’ve addressed that. We think we’ve had a really good summer and worked on some of our deficiencies and really brought our strengths to the fore as well.”
Despite questions of the players’ motivation post-flag, Stewart reassured there isn’t any lost desire among his Geelong teammates.
“I don’t think that’s (a loss of hunger) the case at all, especially with our playing group,” Stewart declared.
“We got so close so many times and I think we have a really good understanding of how hard it is to actually win [a premiership], so the hunger’s there.
“We yearn for the competition, we’re so excited and really bullish about what we can produce this year. I don’t think any AFL player ever has an issue with hunger.”
While Stewart isn’t shy about his confidence this pre-season, he admitted he’d “be lying” if he said he hadn’t heard the negative discussion about his Cats.
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t heard that sort of narrative around us, that the cliff’s come and that we’re going to have to go back and rebuild,” Stewart said.
“That (criticism) does put a little bit more vigour in my step. I’m excited, I’m really bullish about what we can achieve this year. I think we don’t have to look too far back to know that our good footy is right up there with the best in the league.
“I’m excited, I’ve missed footy this year. I’ve really missed playing the game and competing, and I know how lucky I am to be in the position I am. So, I’m excited about what this year brings.”
Stewart, who turns 31 years of age in March, has been speculated to be unleashed on-ball this season, as part of a personnel mix-around. His own assistant coach James Kelly suggested he would “love to see it”. However, the veteran maintains measures would have to reach drastic levels for Scott to initiate such a move in-game.
“I think it’s similar to last year, a lot of things would have to go wrong for me to go in the midfield,” Stewart stated.
“In terms of personnel and the way the game’s being played, I think it’s just something that if there’s an opportunity for me to go in there and have an impact, I think that’s like any player; I’d put my hand up and try and do that for the team.
“But, I think I’ve shown over the last few years that I’m definitely a defender – definitely not a midfielder.”
Stewart is one of just eight legendary Cats to have earned five All-Australian nods over the course of their Geelong career, with his ‘23 blazer headlined by finishing sixth league-wide in intercept marks (75).
The one-on-one specialist also discussed draftee Connor O’Sullivan’s integration into Geelong’s defensive fold, praising the 18-year-old as he ingratiates himself in an unfamiliar environment.
“He’s been really impressive, Connor … He knows his strengths, he knows what he’s about and he’s brought that to our club, which I, as a senior player, really celebrate and really enjoy,” Stewart said about the 198-centimetre key defender, who figures to ascend quickly in Scott’s ranks.
“He’s bubbly, he’s [got an] infectious personality, he’s energetic around the place, he’s a really good kid.”
In addition to the Murray Bushrangers first-round pick, Stewart surfaced four more emerging Cats whose AFL futures are “at their feet”.
“We’ve had some guys who have had some great pre-seasons, but that means nothing unless you can bring that to games,” Stewart began.
“You can have massive pre-seasons and not play well in-season. You’ve got to show it when the lights shine the brightest. Tanner Bruhn, Mitch Knevitt, Ollie Dempsey, Connor O’Sullivan, Sam de Koning, it’s all at their feet.
“It’s up to them now to produce on game day and hopefully, as a senior player, I can support them and we can have a lot of fun doing it.”
In addition to the aforementioned quartet, midfielders Max Holmes and Jhye Clark face important campaigns, particularly considering their expiring contracts.
All in all, old and young, these Cats have a point to prove this year.
Geelong’s first pre-season outing comes against Carlton on Thursday at IKON Park.
Source Agencies
