Stewart likely to be fit for AFL prelim

The young Geelong defender was sidelined by hamstring tightness not long after producing the play of the match against Sydney.

No wonder Tom Stewart's hamstring tightened up on him.

The young Geelong defender went off in the third term of Friday night's AFL semi-final win over Sydney and did not return.

But coach Chris Scott said it was precautionary, saying it was because of hamstring tightness, and at this stage Stewart will be available for their preliminary final against Adelaide.

The quarter before Stewart left the field, the first-year backman gave his hamstrings a thorough hammering.

His outstanding run was the play of the match and symbolised Geelong's desperation in a mighty upset win.

Geelong was leading by six goals late in the quarter when Sydney counter-attacked with a kick inside 50.

Stewart kept the ball in front of him and tapped it to Zach Guthrie, who sent a long kick to the outer MCG wing.

It was the same wing where a week earlier, Richmond star Dustin Martin first gave Stewart one of his brutal fend-offs and then went for a big run that resulted in a crucial Tigers goal.

But this time, it was Stewart's turn.

He kept running hard after Guthrie's kick and reached the ball again as players battled for possession.

Stewart could not pick the ball up, but as he fumbled, the Cat bumped hard into Kieren Jack.

He kept the ball moving forward and the moment Luke Parker picked it up, Stewart hammered him with a tackle.

Stewart was spent, but the Cats had a ball-up on their half-forward line and he could take a breather.

After struggling the week before in the qualifying final loss to the Tigers, with that one passage of play, Stewart had redeemed himself.

While he should be fit for the preliminary final, midfielder Cam Guthrie remains in doubt because of a calf muscle injury.

Given Guthrie suffered the injury against Richmond and calves typically take three weeks to heal, he is racing against time to be ready for next Friday night.


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Source: AAP


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