He was dubbed ‘easily’ the best defender in the game by Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield, but could Tom Stewart be in line for more midfield minutes in 2024?

With two Carji Greeves medals already in his trophy cabinet and five All-Australian nods in seven seasons of AFL as a defender, Stewart’s bona fides behind the ball are well established. 

As Geelong defenders go, Stewart is now in Matthew Scarlet and Corey Enright country, and according to Dangerfield may end up as the 'best to ever do it by the end of his contract', but according to Champion Data, he has spent an increasing amount of time around the ball over the last two seasons.

So, does that signal a more permanent shift?

The ‘Stewart the midfielder’ talk really only started last season, but the numbers suggest the redeployment started a season earlier, in 2022 where he spent 10.2% of his time in the middle of the ground, a career high, compared to just 4.9% in 2023.

Notably, those numbers aren’t as clear cut as they appear, as Champion Data includes time on the wing as part of the midfield, the difference being that last season he attended 24 centre bounces, compared to zero in 2022. 

So, in short, when the number 44 walks into the centre square, people tend to notice. 

Last season, it was only Round 17 against North Melbourne (25.6%), Round 19 against Brisbane (35.1%) and Round 22 against Collingwood (11.4%) where he spent time purely as a midfielder, and not on the wing.

In the game against the Lions, Stewart picked up maximum votes from the Cats coaches in the Carji Greeves medal count, and was awarded seven coaches votes in AFLCA Player of the Year voting as well after his 25 disposals, nine mark and five tackle performance. 

That left Round 3 against the Suns (28.9%) and Round 14 against Port Adelaide (1.6%) where, according to the numbers, he roamed the wings exclusively, before returning to defence. 

Speaking to media before Christmas after signing a deal that will see him at the Cattery until at least the end of 2027, Stewart said he is focused on getting better as a player, and if that means more time in the middle, so be it. 

“I think I can get a lot more flexible in my role,” he said.

“I think being subjected to midfield minutes last year is something that can only strengthen my game.

“To be able to go up around the ball and win the ball at the source and help the forward half of the ground is something that's new to me, but I'm really open to whatever the club needs me to do and the role they see fit.”

It was a typically team-first answer from Stewart, but for the rest of us, including Dangerfield, how Stewart’s role evolves over the next few years will be a fascinating watch, wherever he plays.