Cats star Tom Stewart hoping for no pre-AFL finals bye as birth of first child looms

Geelong defender Tom Stewart is hoping the birth of his first child comes after the season is over – but it could still overlap with the AFL finals, which may create a tricky situation for the in-contention Cats.

Tom Stewart and partner Emma Richards are expecting their first child. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong star Tom Stewart says he and pregnant partner Emma Richards are investigating potential birth options in Queensland as they prepare for her November 3 due date.

In an ideal world the pair would celebrate a first premiership for Stewart in mid-October before returning to Victoria for Richards to give birth to their first child.

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Tom Stewart is one of the Cats’ most important players. Picture: Getty Images

But as the AFL considers introducing a pre-finals bye that would push the Grand Final back to October 24, Stewart is footy’s greatest advocate to keep pushing through the season.

He told the Herald Sun after Geelong’s workmanlike win over Adelaide that Richards’ recent arrival in the Queensland hub had been an incredible moment.

Now the pair will wait nervously in case the Cats march late into September and into a Grand Final.

They are keeping their options open in case Richards is forced into an early birth that intersects with the football season.

“My pregnant wife is with me. We are due in early November and it’s been a difficult time but it’s been awesome to be back reunited and we are getting through (being in a hub) together. She has been an amazing support to me,” he said.

“She is due on the third of November, so it’s going to be a bit touch and go but it’s a really exciting time for us. I can’t wait to be a dad. I will definitely be at the birth.

“We are working through options (to have the baby in Queensland) but all of our families are in Victoria, so we are working through all that now.

“Personally I would prefer to knock (the season) off as quickly as we can but we will just embrace what is in front of us.”

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Geelong battled to outlast a determined Adelaide side and Stewart said the victory was representative of the club’s ethos this year.

“It’s been said across the competition this year. We have got to stick fat. We won’t be perfect but the world isn’t perfect. So the more we can hang tough and support each other the better we will be. We have some real maturity in the group and the old heads really worked together to grind it out,” he said.

Stewart said the Cats couldn’t wait for Gary Ablett to return to the fold, after two months out caring for young son Levi.

“Obviously he has been going through a really rough period at the moment with his family and little man but to have him come back will bring some spark and bounce. We know how good he is with the ball in hand but he’s just as good with his personality.

“He will be fine (with only one game before finals), he has been able to train hard in Victoria with Andrew Mackie and keep in shape. We are really looking forward to having him back, he is an extra mature head and his experience will go a long way.”