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Sport Nation
“Crook as a dog”: Cat confirms star defender's illness
Jaiden Sciberras • April 11th, 2025 1:14 pm
Through five games in 2025, Geelong has announced four late outs following Thursday night’s last-minute absence of star defender Tom Stewart.
Bailey Smith was pulled out of the Cats’ contest with St Kilda in Round 2 an hour before the bounce, followed by Stewart, who was a late out against Brisbane with a knee complaint in Round 3. In Round 4, Mark Blicavs was ruled out with illness late, followed by Stewart once again in last night’s Gather Round opener.
The consistency of late changes has caused speculation as to whether the late withdrawals are a tactical move by coach Chris Scott.
However, Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins revealed that Stewart was truly unwell, confirming the gastro that ruled him out of the 19-point win over the Crows to kick off Gather Round.
“He was crook as a dog yesterday,” Atkins told SEN's Fireball.
“I reckon he got off the bus for our captain's run and went straight to the toilet, spewing.
“He’s had a shocking couple of days, I saw him this morning actually, he’s on an early flight home.
“He reckons he’s just starting to feel like himself again. (It’s) probably just part of having kids I think, they are in day care and whatnot, you’re bound to get crook.
“It’s just bad timing for Tom.”
Despite Atkins’ confirmation, SEN's David King was not fully convinced.
“If I ever lie Tom, I’m coming to you,” King said.
“That was very convincing! I like that, that was very believable.
“Almost had him on a drip there for a moment, I was right with you!”
Following the victory at the Adelaide Oval, Geelong now sit within the eight, leapfrogging the Crows with three wins from five.
With a 10-day break ahead, the Cats face a major challenge in Round 6 as they host Hawthorn at the MCG in the first Monday night clash of the season.
