SO SAD: A star player for Geelong has decided not to play again

Geelong’s Tom Stewart says the Cats have kept it simple this pre-season, as the club returns to the track on Thursday for the first time in the new year.

After missing finals in 2023 for the first time since the 2015 season and just the second time in coach Chris Scott’s 13 year tenure, Stewart’s Cats return from the Christmas break on Thursday with one clear theme.

“It was almost like, sharpen up, shine the boots and get to work because there’s no special formula,” he said. “It’s just about getting the work in, getting the reps in.”

Stewart, who is fresh off a four year contract extension that will keep him at GMHBA Stadium until at least the end of the 2027 season, said the whole club has come back with a renewed vigor, especially the younger group.

“I can’t fault the condition or the attitude that the boys have come back with and that’s from the top down,” he said.

“Some of the young boys have been super impressive with the condition and the footballing nous that they’ve come back with, which is really pushing us along at the top end, and some of the boys at the back end of their career, which is all we ask of them.

We just want to be hungry, and competitive, and just have that drive to be the best they can be every day. It’s very cliche but they’ve led the way from the front, those young boys, and I’ve been really pleased with their output.”

Geelong return to the filed against Carlton at Ikon Park at 11am on Thursday, February 22 in a match simulation, before welcoming Essendon to GMHBA Stadium for the first and only Community Series game on Friday, March 1 at 5.10pm.