AFL 2024: Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart excited by Jhye Clark as he comments on ‘massive number’ of unsigned Cats

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart shares his thoughts on the significant number of uncontracted Cats. And he is bullish on one recently signed young gun.

Tom Stewart in action. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart is expecting big things from re-signed talent Jhye Clark, saying the young midfielder is just “scratching the surface”.

Clark was one of three Cats to pen new deals with the club on Sunday, with the 19-year-old extending his stay for two years while defender Zach Guthrie and Gaelic football convert Oisin Mullin have committed until the end of 2025.

The Queenscliff product had some jitters with 13 disposals and seven clangers against St Kilda in just his second AFL game, but he showed his toughness and defensive intent with a number of one-percenters that Stewart, Guthrie and coach Chris Scott all praised.

Stewart is conscious of the “massive” number of his teammates who remain unsigned beyond this season but said it isn’t something he is losing sleep over.

Jhye Clark impressed with his defensive efforts against the Saints. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I love a lot about Jhye. As soon as I saw the news yesterday that he signed for two-years I was very quick to send him a message and congratulate him. Obviously his start to his career hasn’t been smooth sailing for him, so the resilience that he has shown and the character that he has is really top class,” Stewart said.

“He is only scratching the surface of his talent and I think we saw out there on Saturday night the hardness that he brings and the honesty he plays the game with. He is a great teammate and a really, really good kid.”

“I think it is something that I don’t really have any say over so I don’t really try and put any thought into contract talk or whose out of contract of my teammates.

“All those that are in those positions are just trying to do their best to perform for the team and perform for yourself, that is all you can ask for. Obviously a massive number that are out of contract, but if they continue to put their best foot forward the rest will take care of itself.

“To see a draft mate of mine Zach getting signed again is fantastic and two young players that we have massive hopes for in our future.

“Oisin has had a different background to most but the impact he has had on the group has been significant, and obviously having Jhye who is a Geelong boy and a really talented young man, to have him sign for the next couple of years is a massive coup for the club.”

Clark is hoping to become a consistent senior player this season after managing just seven games (one AFL, six VFL) last year following the discovery of a navicular stress reaction in his foot.

Sporting a compression band over his leg after copping a corkie against the Saints, the No.8 pick of the 2022 draft said it was an easy decision to extend his stay at his hometown club.

Jhye Clark and Shaun Mannagh celebrate the win over St Kilda. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I forgot how sore you get after playing games, but it’s all good,” Clark chuckled.

“Very happy, obviously thankful to the club for giving me the extra two years. Now I’ve got three years to have a crack at it but it was a pretty easy decision.”

“Consistency would be good playing, it was different not playing last year, I’ve never missed any games. But yeah, hopefully I can try and solidify my spot and help out the team and get a few wins.”

Guthrie is hoping speedster Max Holmes and his brother Cameron, both out of contract at year’s end, follow suit and re-sign.

While Zach Guthrie signed a one-year-extension rather than a long-term deal, Cats supporters shouldn’t be too concerned.

“I just love to play my footy here and that just seemed to be the right deal for us,” Guthrie said.

“He’s (Holmes) another one of those exciting young guys. He’s performed really well throughout pre-season, showing what he can do and he played really well the other night. Hopefully we can get him on board as well.

“Another part of why I love playing with the Cats, pretty lucky to play my brother. I don’t see why (he wouldn’t sign) unless he doesn’t want to keep playing with me,” he chuckled.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart excited by Jhye Clark as he comments on ‘massive number’ of unsigned Cats