Tom Stewart's Sudden Omission Stuns Fans Ahead of Crows Clash
Alright, so here we are in the thick of AFL’s 2025 Gather Round, and just when you thought the Cats were hitting their stride, boom—another twist. Tom Stewart, one of Geelong’s most dependable defensive stars, has been ruled out of tonight’s blockbuster against Adelaide. And this time, it’s not a knee or a calf... it’s gastro. Yep, Stewart’s out with a nasty stomach bug that’s hit him just days after returning to the field.
If you’ve been following Geelong this season, you’ll know that Stewart’s year hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. He copped a knee injury back in Round 2 against the Saints, missed a game, and was already a late withdrawal once before when the Cats faced the Lions. That alone was frustrating enough for fans. And just when we thought he was back on track—he had a solid game last week against Melbourne with 24 disposals and 11 marks, mind you—this latest curveball drops.
Also Read:- Harrison Barnes Breaks Warriors’ Hearts with Buzzer-Beating Dagger
- Andrew Tate Faces Mounting Allegations of Abuse and Coercion Across Continents
He actually travelled with the team to Adelaide earlier this week, so everyone assumed he was locked in to play. But late reports from Mitch Cleary over at 7News confirmed the blow: Stewart’s battling gastro and will miss the Crows clash. Huge, huge loss.
And it couldn’t come at a worse time. Jack Henry is also out with a hamstring injury he picked up during last week’s win over the Demons. So now Geelong’s backline, which relies heavily on experienced players like Stewart, is stretched thin heading into a game that’s shaping up to be one of the toughest so far.
Let’s not downplay Adelaide either. They’re looking sharp—sitting 5th on the ladder and coming into this one with plenty of momentum. Izak Rankine is electric, Walker’s still a threat up forward, and their midfield's cohesion has been solid. So without Stewart marshalling the defence, you have to wonder how Geelong’s going to cope with Adelaide’s forward pressure.
Coach Chris Scott must be scratching his head right now. You can plan for injuries, sure—but gastro? That’s the kind of bad luck no one sees coming. And with Stewart being 32, it’s clear the club will be careful not to push him too hard as the season progresses. But it doesn’t make the situation any less frustrating, especially for fans eager to see Geelong climb higher on the ladder.
As we wait for the official team sheets to drop at 6:20pm AEST, all eyes will be on how the Cats adjust their lineup. Who fills that void? Will it be O’Connor stepping up, or could we see some positional shuffle to plug the gap?
Whatever happens tonight, this late out has already tipped the scales a bit. The Cats are on the back foot—and Adelaide knows it.
Read More:
0 Comments