AFL pre-season news: Tom Stewart signs contract extension at Geelong, Giants lock away Aaron Cadman

An out-of-contract Tom Stewart would’ve created a frenzy at the end of next year – but that won’t be an issue for Geelong anymore. Is there another list problem, though?

Five-time All-Australian Tom Stewart will remain in Geelong colours until the end of 2027 after locking away a three-year contract extension.

The signing of the “high demand” two-time best-and-fairest winner takes a key piece off the board for Geelong as it faces a large group of key players in need of new deals by the end of 2024.

The superstar half-back was already under contract next year but will now play on until he is at least 34.

Now vice-captain at the Cats, Stewart has shown no interest in playing elsewhere after being plucked from the Geelong VFL side and local club South Barwon in 2016 at age 23, with the rebounding star sure he can play well into his 30s given his late start to AFL life.

Tom Stewart has signed a three-year contract extension with the Cats. Picture: Alison Wynd

With Stewart locked away, Cats now out of contract by the end of next year include Jack and Ollie Henry, Max Holmes, Patrick Dangerfield and Tyson Stengle.

Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie announced the re-signing at the club’s annual general meeting on Tuesday night.

“We’re really excited to have signed Tom Stewart to a three-year contract extension,” Mackie told the AGM.

“It is significant.

“Tom, in the opening market, would be in high demand and rightly so.

“Clearly we get to see what he does out here, and puts a smile on all our faces.

“(He’s) such an integral part of our playing group.”

He said when it came to community-minded players, Stewart “does it better than anyone” at Kardinia Park.

Stewart said he believed in the club’s direction, despite falling out of the finals this year after 2022’s premiership.

“The future at the Cats is so bright and to be able to be on that journey with so many exciting young players and experienced heads is something I am really looking forward to and we all can’t wait to crack into 2024 and continue to give our all for this footy club,” he said.

Having picked up his fifth All-Australian blazer in 2023, Stewart is just one short of champion defender Corey Enright, who passed on the No.44 guernsey to Stewart.

Giants lock Victorian young gun away

– Josh Barnes

Former No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman has been locked in by GWS Giants for a two-year contract extension.

The agile left-footer had been in discussions with the Giants in the past three weeks, having been a rare top draft pick to make it out of his first AFL season without an extension, after he was taken first by GWS in the 2022 draft.

But Cadman has signed his new deal and is contracted at the Giants until the end of 2026.

Cadman played 12 games in his debut season and kicked six goals, failing to register more than seven disposals in any of his matches.

Aaron Cadman has signed on at the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He was not required by GWS after round 20, as the club went on a run to the preliminary final.

But the talented teen was pumped up by coach Adam Kingsley earlier this month.

“He’s a massive part of our future … I think he complements who we have up (forward) at the moment, and I see him in years to come taking over and being the man,” Kingsley said.

GWS footy boss Jason McCartney said Cadman was “a huge piece of our future”.

“It takes time for young key forwards to develop within the AFL system and for Aaron to play 12 games at AFL level in his first season was a great achievement and we are excited about what he’s going to develop into for us,” McCartney said.

Originally published as AFL pre-season news: Tom Stewart signs contract extension at Geelong, Giants lock away Aaron Cadman