Tom Stewart (Australian footballer)

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Tom Stewart
Stewart playing for Geelong in June 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1993-03-15) 15 March 1993 (age 31)
Original team(s) Geelong (VFL)
Draft No. 40, 2016 national draft
Debut Round 1, 2017, Geelong vs. Fremantle, at Domain Stadium
Height 190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 88 kg (194 lb)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current club Geelong
Number 44
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2017– Geelong 171 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Thomas Stewart (born 15 March 1993) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). At 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) tall and 88 kg (194 lb), he plays as a running half-back who can play on both oversized and undersized opponents. Stewart played for the Geelong Falcons and South Barwon Football Club as junior, winning consecutive premierships in 2012 and 2013 with South Barwon.

Stewart was drafted by the Geelong Football Club with their second selection and fortieth overall in the 2016 national draft.[1] He made his debut in the forty-two point win against Fremantle in the opening round of the 2017 season at Domain Stadium.[2] Since then Stewart he has been a 5-time All-Australian and was awarded the AFLCA Young Player Award in 2018.

Early football

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As a teenager, Stewart played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup. After going undrafted in numerous drafts went and played for his local club in the Geelong Football Netball League.[3] Stewart played football for South Barwon Football Club which currently competes in the Geelong Football Netball League, the major regional league in the region.[4] In 2013, Stewart was a part of South Barwon's premiership which was led by playing coach and Australian Football Hall of Famer, Matthew Scarlett. In 2016, Stewart's performances for the Geelong Football Club's VFL team landed him on the radar of AFL club recruiters.[5] He was drafted at pick 40 in the 2016 national draft by the Geelong Football Club.[6]

AFL career

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2017–2019: Early career

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Stewart made his debut for Geelong in the opening round of the 2017 AFL season, in the team's forty-two point win against Fremantle.[7] On debut, Stewart collected 10 disposals, a rebound-50, a contested mark and 2 tackles.[8] In his debut season, Stewart would become a regular in Geelong's side, holding down his position as a half-back flanker. Stewart underwent surgery to repair a fractured eye socket he suffered in Geelong's dramatic round 14 win over Fremantle.[9] He was set to miss up to 6 weeks but was able to return for Geelong's loss to Adelaide in Round 18.[10] He would go onto to play his first final in Geelong's qualifying final loss to Richmond on Friday 8 September 2017. Stewart had an average performance on the night, collecting 11 disposals, 4 rebound-50s and 5 tackles.[11] Stewart would finish his debut year with 21 matches, averaging 14.7 disposals, 2.8 rebound-50s and 4.1 marks a game.

"The story adds value again doesn't it? He was virtually a regional player for a while, then best VFL player, now best 22 in the country. It is a fantastic rise"

David King[12]

The 2018 AFL season shaped to be Stewart's breakout season which saw him become one of the league's best defenders. After maintaining a consistent position in Geelong's defensive six during the 2017 season, only missing games to injury, Stewart continued this effort for the 2018 season. In Geelong's round 3 loss to West Coast he received a vote in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award after recording 20 disposals, 13 effective kicks and 3 rebound-50s.[13] The next week, Stewart would record, 20 disposals, 6 rebounds-50s and 8 marks, one of which was contested in Geelong's round 4 victory over St Kilda. This would be a breakout game for the young defender as it saw him earn his first brownlow vote and 7 AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year votes. On 12 April, Stewart would re-sign a contract extension with Geelong to remain at the club until the end of 2019.[14] Stewart had another outstanding game in the cats win over Collingwood in round 8. Stewart collected 28 disposals, 7 rebound-50s and 9 marks, 2 of which were contested. For this performance, earned Stewart 9 AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year votes and one brownlow vote, raising his career total to 3 votes.[15] For his remarkable season, Stewart was awarded with numerous accolades. He won the AFLCA Young Player Award, which takes the total number of coaches votes of all players in their first two seasons with the highest vote-getter winning. Steward won the award with 40 votes, 17 higher than second place.[16] He would also earn his first All-Australian selection as a back pocket[17] and finished sixth in the Carji Greeves Medal.[18]

Before the start of the 2019 AFL season, Stewart was elevated to Geelong's seven men leadership team. Geelong captain Joel Selwood praised Stewart's growth from a mature-age draftee to All-Australian and leader at the club within a span of three years. "Mid last year he asked to be a part of meetings and come in and stuff like that," Selwood said. "He was at a stage where his footy was taking care of itself so we didn't want a burden on him but he was relishing the job, so this was just the next step for him."[19] Stewart started the 2019 AFL season as well as he had ended the 2018 season. In his first 4 matches of the season, Stewart averaged 25.5 disposals, 10.5 rebound-50s and 7.3 marks at game. This spectacular form continued all throughout the season with Stewart finishing the season averaging 23.2 disposals, a league high 8.0 rebound-50s and 7.4 marks a game. For his best season thus far, Stewart was rewards with his second All-Australian blazer[20] and a third-place finish in Geelong's best and fairest count.[21]

2020–: Continued success

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After establishing himself as one of the premier defenders in the league, Stewart continued with his great form into the 2020 AFL season. He recorded 18 disposals in a round 1 loss against Greater Western Sydney when the season began in late March, but under extraordinary conditions imposed on the league as a result of the rapid progression of the coronavirus pandemic into Australia.[22][23][24] In what the league planned would be the first of a reduced 17-round season, the match was played without crowds in attendance due to public health prohibitions on large gatherings and with quarter lengths reduced by one fifth in order to reduce the physical load on players who would be expected to play multiple matches with short breaks in the second half of the year.[25][26] Just three days later, the AFL Commission suspended the season for an indefinite period after multiple states enforced quarantine conditions on their borders that effectively ruled out the possibility of continuing the season as planned.[27][28] After an 11-week hiatus, Stewart contributed 20 disposals in a round 2 win over Hawthorn when the season resumed in early-June. Stewart would play in all 4 of Geelong's 2020 finals including the 2020 AFL Grand Final, where Geelong would go down by 31 points to Richmond. This would be Stewart's first Grand Final appearance and was among the best for his side, collecting 20 disposals, 10 rebound-50s and 6 marks. Stewart would finish 14th in Carji Greeves Medal.[29] Already contracted until 2021, Stewart would go onto to sign a new contract which would add three years to his existing deal keeping him at Geelong until the end of 2024.[30] In 2020 he was named in the St Joseph's College Team of Champions, recognising the best VFL/AFL players to have attended the school.[31]

Stewart entered the 2021 AFL season ranked in the 'elite' category among the league's defenders by the AFL's official statistical partner Champion Data.[32] Stewart's 2021 season shaped to be his best season yet. His numbers in disposals and marks were at a career high. He was named in the AFL media's mid-season All-Australian team on a back pocket.[33] In round 14, Stewart had a career best game in Geelong's after the siren win to the Western Bulldogs. in the match, Stewart tied the record for the most intercept marks in the last 20 years, with 10, and had 15 intercept possessions in total. It wasn't just about his defensive efforts however; finishing with 27 disposals and six score involvements, he was able to launch several Cats attacks, including one last-quarter goal.[34] Stewart was praised by many after the game including his coach, "It's one of the best games I've seen a half-back flanker play," Chris Scott said post-game.[35] For his effort he received 9 AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year votes. On 14 August Stewart injured his foot at training in a marking contest. The 28 year old underwent surgery after suffering Lisfranc damage. This meant that Stewart would miss the rest of the season, including Geelong's finals series.[36] After a career best season, with Stewart averaging 24.0 disposals, 6.1 rebound-50s and a league high 8.9 marks a game, he was awarded his third All-Australian in just five years.[37] Despite Stewart missing the final few games of the season to injury, he still claimed his maiden Carji Greeves medal.

In the 2022 AFL season during a round 15 match against Richmond Stewart bumped Dion Prestia high, which saw Stewart suspended for four matches.[38] Stewart won his first AFL premiership with Geelong in 2022 and earnt his fourth All-Australian selection.

Despite a disappointing year for Geelong in 2023, Stewart remained a standout for the team throughout the whole year. He was rewarded with his fifth All-Australian selection in the 2023 All-Australian team, and winning his second Carji Greeves Medal.[39] Stewart's fifth All-Australian selection in 2023 gave him the record for the fewest games played (148) by an AFL player to reach five All-Australian selections.[40]

Player profile

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Stewart plays as a rebounding half-back and back pocket. He is known for his ability to break through oppositions forward defensive structures with his elite kicking skill. His marking ability allows him to be one of the best intercept players in the competition being ranked elite by Champion Data for intercept marks and Contested Defence One on Ones.[41] Stewart is also known for both his on-field and off-leadership, with pundits tipping Stewart to be Geelong's next captain.[42]

Stewart was named the seventh best defender and 42nd best player overall in the Herald Sun's list of the best players pre-2020 season.[43]

Statistics

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Updated to the end of the 2023 season.[44]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
  #  
 Played in that season's 
premiership team
  †  
 Led the league for 
the season
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2017 Geelong 44 21 2 2 189 120 309 86 55 0.1 0.1 9.0 5.7 14.7 4.1 2.6 0
2018 Geelong 44 22 1 1 296 146 442 132 46 0.0 0.0 13.5 6.6 20.1 6.0 2.1 4
2019 Geelong 44 25 0 2 473† 107 580 185 42 0.0 0.1 18.9 4.3 23.2 7.4 1.7 3
2020[a] Geelong 44 18 0 1 263 81 344 125† 23 0.0 0.1 14.6 4.5 19.1 6.9 1.3 1
2021 Geelong 44 20 0 3 378 102 480 178 21 0.0 0.1 18.9 5.1 24.0 8.9† 1.1 8
2022# Geelong 44 20 0 1 354 111 465 146 40 0.0 0.1 17.7 5.6 23.3 7.3 2.0 9
2023 Geelong 44 22 1 0 408 99 507 182 43 0.0 0.0 18.5 4.5 23.0 8.2 1.9 6
Career 148 4 10 2361 766 3121 1034 270 0.0 0.0 15.9 5.1 21.0 6.9 1.8 31

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honours and achievements

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Team

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Shields, Jason (25 November 2016). "AFL Draft 2016: Geelong Cats go local with Tom Stewart, Timm House and Ryan Abbott". Geelong Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  2. ^ Young, Lachie (23 March 2017). "Geelong Cats 2017: Tom Stewart and Brandon Parfitt set for Cats debut". Geelong Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Tom Stewart looks a natural at AFL level". SBS. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Tom Stewart". TLA Worldwide. 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  5. ^ Cherny, Daniel (23 June 2021). "'Pretty happy with himself': How Cats legend helped Stewart become potential captain". The Age. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  6. ^ "AFL Draft 2016: Which club got which player in the national draft". Fox Footy. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ Young, Lachie (23 March 2017). "Geelong Cats 2017: Tom Stewart and Brandon Parfitt set for Cats debut". Geelong Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Fremantle vs Geelong - Player Stats". AFLTables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  9. ^ Ryan, Peter (29 June 2017). "Tough Cat hit for six, Parfitt to play in VFL". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Geelong vs Adelaide- Player Stats". AFLTables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Geelong vs Richmond- Player Stats". AFLTables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  12. ^ Gabelich, Josh (30 August 2018). "From local footy star to All-Australian: The remarkable rise of Geelong defender Tom Stewart". Fox Footy. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  13. ^ "West Coast v Geelong". Fox Sports. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  14. ^ Cleary, Mitch (12 April 2018). "Cats quietly lock in two until the end of 2019". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  15. ^ "Coolingwood v Geelong". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  16. ^ Balmer, Matt (28 August 2018). "Geelong's Tom Stewart wins 2018 AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player of the Year Award". Fox Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  17. ^ Laughton, Max (30 August 2018). "AFL All-Australian team 2018: Lance Franklin joins all-time greats as captain in eighth appearance". Fox Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  18. ^ Media, Cats (4 October 2018). "Blicavs wins Carji Greeves Medal". Geelong Cats. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  19. ^ Cleary, Mitch (8 March 2019). "Gun Cat elevated as Selwood continues as captain". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  20. ^ Mcgowan, Marc (28 August 2019). "2019 All Australian team: New skipper, nine debutants revealed". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  21. ^ Cleary, Mitch (9 October 2019). "Superstar Cat storms home to win third B&F ahead of wantaway teammate". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  22. ^ "AFL to go ahead with round one of men's 2020 season amid coronavirus pandemic". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  23. ^ Barrett, Damien (10 March 2019). "Why coronavirus could force the AFL to play games without fans". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  24. ^ David Mark and James Coventry (14 March 2020). "AFL looking at cramming matches in case coronavirus outbreak postpones 2020 season". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  25. ^ Barrett, Damien (13 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis: AFL makes call on round one". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Coronavirus crisis and footy: The state of play". AFL Media. Telstra Media. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  27. ^ Barrett, Damien (22 March 2020). "'Most serious threat in 100 years': AFL postpones season". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  28. ^ "AFL suspends season in response to coronavirus, with AFLW season cancelled — but NRL plays on for now". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  29. ^ Cleary, Mitch (29 October 2020). "Breakout Cat pips Coleman medallist to claim maiden B&F". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  30. ^ Cleary, Mitch (18 November 2020). "Another Cat re-signs with gun defender earning big extension". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  31. ^ "Four skippers, eight All-Australians, one Brownlow ... one school". www.afl.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  32. ^ Williams, Rebecca (7 February 2021). "Champion Data reveals every AFL club's elite-ranked players entering season 2021". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  33. ^ Beveridge, Riley (8 June 2021). "Our mid-year All-Australian team: Who's in, who's unlucky?". AFL. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  34. ^ "Geelong v Western Bulldogs". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  35. ^ Laughton, Max (18 June 2021). "'Best defender in the game': The Cats' most important player Tom Stewart has never been better than this". Fox Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  36. ^ Black, Sarah (14 August 2021). "UPDATE: Surgery for Stewart, but Cats holding glimmer of hope". Fox Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  37. ^ Laughton, Max (27 August 2021). "Demons' stunning 10-year All-Australian first as entire position ignored AGAIN: AFL Awards wrap". Fox Sports.
  38. ^ Whiting, Michael (29 June 2021). "The verdict is in: Tribunal makes call on Stewart hit". AFL.
  39. ^ "Stewart Named in 2023 All Australian Team". 30 August 2023.
  40. ^ https://x.com/sirswampthing/status/1696844598562480177?s=20 [bare URL]
  41. ^ "Tom Stewart". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Captaincy ambitions for top Cat as Geelong eye another flag tilt". The Age. October 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  43. ^ Balloch, Lochlan (17 September 2021). "Mark Robinson reveals his top 50 for 2020". Zero Hanger. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  44. ^ "Tom Stewart". AFL Tables. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
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