Stewart has Giant point to prove after Magpie snub

EMERGING GWS Giants forward James Stewart gets the chance this weekend to show Collingwood what it missed when it opted not to draft him under the AFL’s father-son rule.

The son of former Magpies key-position player Craig Stewart, 21-year-old James was drafted by GWS with pick 27 of the 2012 draft.

A Collingwood fan in his boyhood, Stewart went goalless in his first AFL game against the Magpies in Sydney late last season, but tomorrow will play against them at the MCG for the first time. He has kicked nine goals in seven games this season, including seven in his past four appearances.

He was philosophical about being overlooked by the team he supported as a kid.

“I came into that with the analogy that one door was shut and I was hoping that potentially 17 others open,” Stewart said.

“Whichever one was to call my name out at the draft I’d put my best foot forward.

“I’m so far loving my time here I’ve really warmed to the city as well.

“It was a bit of a blessing in disguise looking back now. Being able to move to Sydney all happened very quickly.

“To move away from my family and friends has enabled me to focus on football, work hard and develop some skills outside of footy and become quite independent, so it’s worked in a number of ways.”