Geelong forward Tyson Stengle on how he responded after nightclub incident surfaced and support of Cats
Tyson Stengle continued to perform on-field after he made headlines off it. The Cats forward looks back at how he blocked out the outside noise, and his mindset change at his third club.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Geelong forward Tyson Stengle has revealed how he turned his phone off and shut out social media after his nightclub incident surfaced last year.
Stengle was found unresponsive in a Geelong venue and rushed to hospital in the early hours after a win in late July last year.
Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield at the time labelled it as an “an error of judgment” but that “we treat our players like adults”.
Stengle said the club’s support over his 75-game career at the Cats had been unwavering, having “got my back with everything”.
Six days after the incident at Bloom nightclub, Stengle helped the Cats to victory over Adelaide with 20 disposals, 14 contested possessions and a goal.
The 26-year-old declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, but he said narrowing his focus on footy helped him get through the back end of last year.
“I just sort of turned my phone off and just tried to lock in on football. So yeah, I didn’t really take notice to anything,” Stengle told this masthead.
“So that was my way, just to block out everything on the outside and just focus in on footy. Block out Instagram and all that type of stuff, and all the other sort of s---.
“So that’s how I did that last year. But I’m glad I got through it, and glad to get back to my performances this year, glad to get a good win (against Hawthorn), and hopefully I can build on that.”
When other clubs may have punished a player in Stengle’s position, Geelong backed him in 100 per cent.
Coach Chris Scott leapt to his defence, saying they do not treat kids like “school kids” and stressing that the club works for the players, building an environment where they can thrive.
The support and flexibility that Geelong offers in its program has allowed the 2022 All-Australian to excel at his third club, but he concedes he has also evolved.
“I didn’t really focus too much back then (at my previous clubs),” Stengle said.
“Mindset change from me, wake-up calls, here and there. So I’m glad I’m out at a fantastic club that supports me throughout anything and got my back with everything.
“So I’m grateful to be here, grateful to be playing AFL footy and grateful for everything that they do for me.
“Everyone wraps their arms around each and every one of us, and they’re always supporting each other
“With the flexible stuff, that’s like my type of environment where I can sort of strive, and I can choose when I want to do things, and when I don’t.
“That’s why I reckon the Geelong (move) has worked out really well for me.”
By his own admission, Stengle hasn’t been at his best this year, kicking two goals in his last four matches.
But his lively shwoing on Easter Monday was a step in the right direction, passing off with two goal assists in the last quarter – including the crucial crumb and handball to Shaun Mannagh who kicked the matchwinner.
“It’s good to get the hands on the ball and be involved in one of the match winning goals,” Stengle said
“I know I haven’t been playing my best this year so far, so to get a game like that and be involved in really about everything, that’s great for my confidence going forward.”
A proud Wirangu man from the western coastal region of South Australia, Stengle was able to catch up with family from Ceduna and Port Lincoln last week during Gather Round.
“Some family from Ceduna and Port Lincoln drove down for the game, so it was good to see them,” Stengle said.
“Spent some time with my papa, my cousins, it was great to see them. Enjoyed my time back there.”
It was after the final game of Gather Round that Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli became the latest Indigenous AFL player to be racially vilified.
Stengle threw his support behind Rioli and said that he has had to deal with abuse across his career.
“All we have to do is just put our arms around him and support him, and I wish him all the best, and I know that he can flick me a message and I’ll speak to him,” Stengle said.
“I don’t really look into it too much. I know there’s going to be people out there that do that type of stuff. So have to sort of block it out and focus on myself and focus on what I can do for my footy club.
“That’s all I can do. It’s good to call it out sometimes, but I’m not that type of person.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong forward Tyson Stengle on how he responded after nightclub incident surfaced and support of Cats
‘Wasn’t controversial’: Panthers coach on disputed final kick
Bell Post Hill’s coach says an umpire’s decision to disallow a final shot for goal, that would have given Werribee a one-point win, was correct.
150+ pics: Local footy, netball galleries from Anzac round
There was plenty of exciting action in Geelong and Bellarine, and our photographers were there to capture it. See more than 150 pics from GFNL, BFNL and GDFNL action.