Tom Stewart, once a carpenter balancing a trade apprenticeship with weekend VFL games for Geelong’s reserves, embarks on a remarkable path to AFL stardom. Now, he prepares for his 200th match, a milestone achieved by few late starters.
Humble Beginnings in Local Football
A decade ago, Stewart thrived as a full-back for South Barwon, securing premierships and marking top forwards at 100 kilograms. Hailing from Geelong with deep local ties, he prioritized life beyond the game until ambition ignited at age 22. Training under Shane O’Bree in the VFL, he shed weight to 92 kilograms through a strict diet of kangaroo meat and rice, donning a tool belt by day and footy boots by night.
His dedication paid off when Geelong selected him at pick 40 in the 2016 draft, despite interest from other clubs. Debuting at 24 years and 11 days old in round one of 2017, Stewart quickly marked Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, sparking an epiphany: “It was almost like holy shit. This is actually happening,” he recalled.
Developing a Star Defender’s Game
Modeling his play after Geelong legend Matthew Scarlett, Stewart excels in intercept marks and speedy rebounds, rivaling predecessor Corey Enright in the No.44 jumper. “I’ve always been fast,” Stewart said. “My biggest strength was my closing speed. I always had speed and power.”
Strong hands from carpentry aid his marking, while training contests against Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield honed his aerial skills. Learning from Joel Selwood, he attributes success to “pure desire” over technique. Yet early career intensity often drained him: “I used to get myself so worked up before a game. I would make myself sick,” he admitted.
Family Life Reshapes Priorities
COVID marked a turning point. Married to Emma with their first child on the way, Stewart views his career as pre- and post-COVID. “Pre-COVID everything was footy, every decision, every waking moment was dedicated towards how I can succeed on the field,” he reflected.
Geelong’s grand final hub preceded son Arthur’s birth in Queensland, where the newborn faced supraventricular tachycardia in NICU. “You spend the first month of your parental journey in and out of the children’s hospital… and everything just gets put into perspective,” Stewart said. Arthur recovered fully, shifting Stewart’s focus and enhancing his mental resilience.
Peaks, Valleys, and a Premiership
Post-COVID, Stewart claimed two best-and-fairest awards, a 2022 premiership, and All-Australian honors in 2021, 2022, and 2023. “To win the premiership was like no other feeling… what made it so sweet in ’22 was that group had been through a lot together,” he said.
Setbacks tested him: a Lisfranc injury sidelined him for 2021 finals, a four-match suspension followed a 2022 bump on Dion Prestia, and Geelong missed finals in 2023. Daughter Charlie’s birth added joy amid challenges.
Concussion Battle and Milestone Approach
A preliminary final concussion from Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol forced him to miss the grand final, triggering deep emotional struggle. “I was pissed off with the world… I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to talk to anyone,” Stewart shared. Despite overwhelming support, he fronted training to prove his character: “This is an opportunity to prove that in some pretty shit circumstances, I can still care, still support.”
Stats confirm his rarity: only the fifth player to reach 200 games after debuting post-24, and first from the 2016 draft class. State of Origin play revived him, with son Arthur now admiring his dad’s world alongside stars like Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli.
Surrounded by mates from under-14s days at South Barwon, Stewart cherishes the journey: “People think I’m taking the piss when I say that my career is like being in a dream. There are still some days when I walk in, and I’m like, f–k, I’m such a lucky bloke.”
