Craig Stewart slams former club Collingwood over ‘lack of respect’ for son James Stewart
FORMER Collingwood player Craig Stewart has unloaded on the club over its treatment of his son — father-son reject James Stewart.
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FORMER Collingwood player Craig Stewart has unloaded on the Magpies over their treatment of his son — father-son reject James.
Stewart on Wednesday revealed the Magpies had waited until two weeks before VCE exams before telling his son he would not be drafted.
The move allowed Greater Western Sydney to swoop on the key forward at pick No.27 in the 2012 national draft.
“The decision I don’t have a problem with, but when the decision was made was an absolute disgrace,” Stewart told the Herald Sun.
“It was two weeks before his year 12 exams. They should have had more respect for him and more respect for me.”
Collingwood said on Wednesday night it had agreed to nominate James Stewart as a rookie if he was not drafted.
It also had been unsure of the picks it would have at the draft because of deals to trade Chris Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham.
The AFL will on Thursday announce an overhaul of the father-son bidding process, aimed at ensuring clubs give up market-value selections for father-son or academy draftees.
It involves assessing a junior players' value through a complex statistical formula.
Stewart, 21, has emerged as a key player in the Giants’ early-season surge. He has played four games and kicked two goals in Saturday’s rout of Carlton.
His father played 115 games for the Magpies, including Grand Finals in 1980 and 1981, giving Collingwood first option to draft him.
Stewart Sr said his family had moved on from the club’s decision.
“Obviously (Collingwood recruiter) Derek Hine didn’t rate him,” Stewart said.
“He (James) is happy now and, like anything else, when you’re playing in the ones you love it. When you’re battling around in the seconds, you find it difficult. He just had to wait for his body to get right.
“My bone (with Collingwood) was purely and simply over year 12. I would have thought they would have a little bit more respect for people.
“That is their most crucial time and they had no concern for his wellbeing.
“They hadn’t spoken to him for probably 12 months.
“It was an absolute disgrace for them to do that on such a critical occasion.
“What we had to do was mend the bridge and get his head right so he could get through Year 12.
“It showed no concern for the boy by telling him at that late a stage." Stewart's rise through the junior ranks came alongside fellow father-son prospects Joe Daniher (Essendon) and Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs). The Dogs and Bombers committed to Daniher and Hunter several months before the draft.
“They could set sail for their Year 12 exams knowing what their future holds," Stewart said.
“Our bloke, two weeks out, was in a position where we had to get his head right."
He scored 94 in his VCE at Scotch College and is now studying Arts-Commerce at the University of Sydney.
Originally published as Craig Stewart slams former club Collingwood over ‘lack of respect’ for son James Stewart
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