Tom Stewart’s road from South Barwon to a premiership star

Nine years ago, Tom Stewart was celebrating his second-straight GFL flag. He’s now an AFL premiership player following an extraordinary journey.

Tom Stewart concedes he was a “fat chippy” in his days as a South Barwon player.

The four-time All-Australian defender was playing GFL footy with his mates, a time that saw him win two senior premierships as a Swan.

Now he’s an AFL premiership player as a Cat, coincidentally against the Swans, adding another accolade to a growing trophy cabinet.

Reflecting on his journey post-match on Saturday, Stewart said “it’s been a hell of a ride”.

“10-year reunion yesterday (Friday) for South, I wouldn’t be the man I am without that footy club, they gave me so much,” he said.

“They kept playing me when I was a fat chippy that had no right to be playing senior footy.

“I owe them so much and to be able to give back where I can there, for me I’ve got a junior team named after myself there which is such an honour … it’s been a hell of a ride.”

Tom Stewart during his South Barwon days. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Having been picked up in the 2016 national draft by Geelong after time spent in its VFL side, Stewart is a Cats man through and through.

He said a grand final victory after five years of near misses is “one of the best days of my life”.

“Can’t mate (put it into words) … it’s indescribable, just so happy, so grateful, so pleased,” he said.

“This club took a chance on me and to represent them in a grand final again and to win, outside the birth of my children, this is one of the best days of my life.”

Stewart was this season promoted to vice-captain of the Cats and looms as a potential future captain of the club when the day comes that Joel Selwood signs off on a stellar career.

Stewart was full of praise for Selwood following his vintage performance on Saturday.

Patrick Dangerfield with Tom Stewart. Picture: Mark Wilson

“(I) play with my hero Joel Selwood every week and to be his vice-captain, to follow him out every week is something I will tell my grandkids that I’m so proud to be,” Stewart said.

“Cheers to him and cheers to the Geelong footy club.”

Stewart said learning from star defenders of Geelong’s previous premiership era has given each player “belief”.

“The coaches that we’ve had the absolute pleasure to work with obviously Scarlo (Matthew Scarlett) initially, but James Kelly now, they’ve given us such belief in ourselves as players,” he said.

“Learning our defensive craft from Scarlo and how to defend as a unit just held us in such good stead and then Kell's just come in and polished us off and given us the finishing touches.”

Originally published as Tom Stewart’s road from South Barwon to a premiership star