George Stevens to debut for Geelong, Tyson Stengle out against Richmond

Geelong fans are set to get a look at their second debutant of the season after a young midfielder was called into the side with a gun forward a late out.

George Stevens will make his AFL debut. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Geelong coach Chris Scott has backed George Stevens to play at the same high level he’s shown at state league level ahead of the midfielder’s’ long-awaited AFL debut against Richmond.

The 20-year-old was called into the side on Friday, coming in for forward Tyson Stengle, who has withdrawn due to family reasons.

Scott confirmed the big-bodied midfielder would be in the Cats’ starting 22 against the Tigers on Saturday, rather than used as a substitute.

Taken with pick 58 in the 2023 AFL draft, Stevens has had to wait more than 18 months for his opportunity – but gets his chance in front of a home crowd at GMHBA Stadium.

Scott said Stevens, who was told of the news at training on Friday morning, had proven to be “ultra consistent” for the Cats’ VFL side this year – the Warrnambool talent averaging 26.4 disposals, 7.8 clearances and 6.2 tackles per game this season.

George Stevens has plied his trade in the VFL this year. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Not just on field in the VFL games, but the way he goes about it in our system, it just gives us great confidence he’s going to come in and play to the same level he’s been displaying at VFL level,” Scott said.

“The boys are excited … I think even more so when the players have observed someone delivering week after week and training really hard, and every player deserves their chance when they get it but some of them have been made to wait just a little bit longer.”

Scott said while Stevens could play other positions, he had been held back somewhat waiting for a position to open up with the Cats wanting to use him in his preferred midfield position.

And while Stevens is a high quality stoppage player, Scott said it was his “elite kick” which might be his greatest weapon.

“We want the ball in his hands and he’s going to hurt the opposition with his kicking,” Scott said.

Overcoming an ACL injury as a bottom-age junior, Stevens returned to put up strong numbers for the GWV Rebels in his draft year while also captaining the AFL Academy side.

Initially projected as a top 20 draft pick, his late selection was seen as somewhat a ‘slide’, though some questioned his speed and running capacity.

Scott said Stevens had improved across the board since arriving at Kardinia Park.

“He didn’t come in with any fundamental weaknesses, I think there might have been a bit of a perception he might have had some injuries throughout our junior career that maybe meant he wasn’t the best runner as a midfielder,” Scott said.

“But that hasn’t been our observation, he’s improved a bit but he was already pretty good.

“Our academy guys have done a great job but they love working with guys who are so driven – George just came in willing to work and doing everything he could to improve.”

Stevens is the fifth of six players in his draft year to debut for the Cats, following Connor O’Sullivan, Lawson Humphries, Shaun Mannagh and Oli Wiltshire.

He is the second debutant for Geelong in 2025, following Wiltshire’s maiden appearance in round seven.

Chris Scott will bring up game 350 as Geelong coach on Saturday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Coach plays it cool on milestone

Chris Scott says he would prefer to reflect on his 350 games in charge of Geelong well after his coaching career comes to an end.

And the two-time premiership coach hasn’t got a timeline for how long he hopes to stay in the top job – jokingly saying “somewhere between eight home-and-away games and infinity”.

Scott will bring up the 350-game coaching milestone when the Cats take on Richmond at home on Saturday afternoon, first starting in the role in 2011 – the year he steered the Cats to a flag in his maiden year in charge.

The 49-year-old is the 19th AFL/VFL coach to reach 350 games, and sixth to do so for just one club, while he boasts the highest winning percentage (68.05 per cent, 236–110–3 record) of any AFL coach with more than 150+ games to their name.

Asked how he reflected on his journey thus far, Scott said he preferred to stay in the present, with the Cats again vying for a top four finish this year, and pointed to occasions such as last month’s Hall of Fame as more fitting times to look back on storied careers in the game.

“The more I look to far forward, the less comfortable I get,” Scott said.

“(And) if I look a day back, I end up regretting it.

“The acknowledgment is nice, but that’s sort of the extent of it.

“I think they’re (Hall of Fame) a long time after your finished for a reason, cause that’s the time to reflect when you’re done.

“I’m doing everything I can just to be in the moment.”

Originally published as George Stevens to debut for Geelong, Tyson Stengle out against Richmond