SORRY SCOTTY
From coach’s doghouse to a new Cats contract
GEELONG All-Australian contender Tom Stewart has revealed he apologised to coach Chris Scott for a moment of illdiscipline in last weekend’s win over Carlton.
The second-year Cat, who this week extended his contract until the end of 2021, gifted Sam Petrevski-Seton a shot for goal when he threw the footy into David Cuningham’s back after the ball had crossed the boundary line late in the third quarter.
Petrevski-Seton’s shot missed but it was one of several untidy incidents from Cats players last week that frustrated Scott, especially from one of his emerging leaders.
“We’ve just been giving away too many free kicks that we don’t need to give away,” Scott said after the game. “Tom Stewart gave away a free kick on the boundary line that gives them a shot on goal. He’s clear and the others are clear on how we’ve got to get better in that respect.”
Stewart, speaking at Melbourne Airport yesterday before flying to the Gold Coast for today’s match against the Suns, said he had apologised for the brain fade.
“We had a chat earlier in the week and I apologised,” Stewart said. “He said, ‘Apologise once and don’t do it again’, so as simple as that, I’ll move forward and look forward to the Gold Coast.”
Stewart was one of Geelong’s best in the 28-point win and continues to press for an AllAustralian berth. The running defender has averaged 20.8 disposals and 7.2 marks a game this season, earning a contract extension that locks him away until the end of 2021.
“There was no thought whether the negotiation would go quickly or take a long time, so I was just happy to get it done and stoked they’ve seen me as a long-term project,” he said.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a couple of years, going from South Barwon footy to playing AFL now, so it’s been crazy.”