Geelong coach Chris Scott has described Tom Stewart as the best defender in the AFL after he helped the Cats to a 42-point win over Adelaide on Saturday.
Geelong are pushing to win the 2022 AFL grand final and Scott is in no doubt that Stewart will be key to their hopes of having a strong season.
Star of the show
Stewart was the star of the show against the Crows as he produced a career-best 40 disposals with 16 marks and 17 intercepts to leave Scott in absolute awe.
The defender missed last season’s finals campaign with a foot injury and Scott cannot help but think things may have been different with Stewart in the side.
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"I'm biased but I think he's the best defender in the game," Scott told his press conference after the game.
"Tom Stewart was just sensational today. If we didn't have him behind the ball when they were winning the stoppages it would've been really difficult for us.
"He's improving, that's probably the best description, off a very, very high base. He's important for us.
"He was crucial for us last year, to lose him going into the finals was a big loss and I think we're seeing exactly what a loss that was right at the moment."
De Konning praise
Meanwhile Scott also had praise for young defender Sam De Koning after the 21-year-old again showed his great potential with 19 disposals, nine marks and 11 intercepts.
"I don’t know how long ago it was, but he played a game and our supporters here at Geelong were going, 'We love this guy right now but we're going to love him a lot for the next 10 years',” Scott added.
