AFL finals injury list: Geelong expects Tom Stewart, Lawson Humphries to be fit for finals

Geelong has revealed whether it expects Tom Stewart and Lawson Humphries to be fit for finals after the key pair suffered injury scares during the club’s emphatic win over West Coast.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Tom Stewart of the Cats is seen after being subbed from the match during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong coach Chris Scott says superstar Tom Stewart will be right to go when Geelong starts its finals campaign.

Five-time All Australian Stewart came gingerly from the ground during the second quarter of Geelong’s 93-point mauling of West Coast at GMHBA Stadium.

He was worked on by club physios for 15 minutes before halftime, then subbed out of the game during the long break and watched on in casual gear from the bench in the second half.

But Scott said Stewart – and emerging Lawson Humphries, who suffered an early calf injury – would be right after a week’s rest before the finals begin.

“Those two guys will be fine,” Scott said.

“Tom’s good. It was almost one of those (times) that irrespective of what the medical staff were going to say, we were going to take him out of the game.”

Geelong expects Tom Stewart to be fine for the opening week of finals. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Scott said the Cats had one eye loosely on the percentage chase in a bid to overhaul GWS and Port Adelaide on the ladder should both teams stumble on Sunday.

But after leading by 100 points at halftime, the need to “manage” his two injured players changed his approach.

“We did have a loose plan to get (Jed) Bews in to get him as close to half a game anyhow … but it’s a little frustrating when you have another one (injury) you want to manage as well,” he said.

“So that was our priority rather than risking anyone to chase a scoreboard a little bit more.”

Scott said both players had only mild tightness in their respective legs, but otherwise the club was in a rosy position with September firmly in its sights.

Lawson Humphries was taken out of the game after an injury scare. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“All in all, if you look at the second half of our season, we’re ready to tackle the final series and give it a good shake,” said Scott, whose team has been up and down in parts of the season, but now has a double chance.

“It felt like we’ve had some guys who haven’t necessarily had their best year, but that they’re all coming into very good form now.

“If the team is good enough (now), then the rest of the year doesn’t matter.

“You don’t get a prize for being the most consistent through the season, as long as you qualify high enough.

“The prize comes for the team that plays best in the last month and we feel like we’ve given ourselves a chance to be that team.”