Geelong star to miss AFL grand final with concussion
Anna Harrington |
Geelong will be without star defender Tom Stewart in the AFL grand final after he was substituted out of the Cats’ preliminary final win over Hawthorn with concussion.
The brilliant defender was concussed in a first-quarter tackle from Hawks forward Mabior Chol, assisted from the ground and quickly substituted.
Geelong fought back from an early 21-point deficit to claim a dominant 17.13 (115) to 13.7 (85) preliminary final win.
But due to the AFL’s 12-day concussion protocols, Stewart was immediately ruled out of next Saturday’s grand final against either Collingwood or Brisbane.
It is certain to revive calls to change the pre-finals bye to a pre-grand final bye, an idea that AFL identities including Brisbane coach Chris Fagan have supported.
Stewart is the first AFL player to miss a decider through the 12-day concussion protocols, introduced in 2021.
Adelaide AFLW star, and then-captain, Chelsea Randall missed the Crows’ grand final loss to Brisbane through concussion that year.
The Cats were trailing Hawthorn by 21 points in the first quarter of Friday night’s game at the MCG when Chol tackled Stewart in Geelong’s defensive 50.
Stewart, who was also clutching his right wrist, needed immediate treatment and was assisted to the bench before being ruled out of the game through concussion and replaced by substitute Jhye Clark.
Because Chol pinned both arms and went into Stewart’s back, he could also face scrutiny from the match review officer.
The change forced fellow defender Jack Henry, who was on the bench after being treated for an ankle injury, to quickly return to the fray to cover for Stewart.
Henry was injured earlier in the first quarter when teammate Connor O’Sullivan landed on his left ankle.
He was assisted from the field by two trainers, without putting any weight on the ankle in question, then had to go to the rooms for treatment.
Henry returned to play with the ankle heavily strapped and looking noticeably proppy, when Stewart left the field.
But he played out the game in an engrossing duel with Hawthorn star Jack Gunston (three goals), while Zach Guthrie stepped up as an intercepting defender.
The Cats will hope Henry pulls up well, while ruckman Rhys Stanley could come into the grand final side, allowing Mark Blicavs to go down back.
AAP
