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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMAbsent Cat's future in doubt after internal fall-out
Sam Edmund • April 20th, 2026 7:57 pm
Tyson Stengle’s playing future remains unknown, with a failure to train consistently keeping him on the outer.
Such is a nature of Stengle’s unpredictable attendance the Cats can’t be sure what days the forward will report for duty.
It’s understood that Stengle’s behaviour in recent times has led to a falling out with some of his closest supporters and confidants, who have grown frustrated.
Stengle was one of several players across the league to take personal leave over summer, but while he has returned to the club, he remains a day-to-day proposition.
His is a welfare and wellbeing concern, rather than a football fitness dilemma.
Coach Chris Scott said earlier this month that Stengle was closing in on a return, but that now appears to have changed.
Asked on AFL Nation on Friday night when Stengle would be ready to resume at VFL level, head of football Andrew Mackie was non-committal.
“I won’t put a time to that. We’re just taking the time to make sure all of us and the main is Tyson that we’re all in really good shape,” Mackie said.
Asked if the AFL needed to approve his availability, Mackie said: “No, we will just keep talking about that internally. I get the interest in Tyson, but we’ll just make sure we keep doing what we need to, working really closely with everyone involved.”
Stengle has been a major AFL success story, struggling at Richmond and Adelaide before winning a premiership and All-Australian selection at Geelong in 2022.
He-signed with the Cats in 2024 on a five-year-deal, amid interest from St Kilda.
