Every player on the ground is important to the make up of a team, but it can be argued that there is no position more valuable than an intercept defender.
The ability to turn defence into offense at any given moment is a highly desired trait in any sport, nobody embodies that notion quite like Cats superstar, Tom Stewart.
With five All-Australian blazers, two Carji Greeves Medals and a premiership to his name, Stewart has been regarded among the top echelon of defenders for a number of years.
The secret to his intercepting prowess?
"I think it is a combination of the two, both natural instinct and hard work," Stewart told Sportsday on SEN this week.
"My marking was something that I have always had as my one wood, and my ability to read the ball in the air was something that I naturally had.
"Personally in my role, and I have said this on a number of occasions, I am only as good as those around me. I put myself in positions that are pretty aggressive as a defender, if I don't have the help from the guys around me, which I have had for a number of years, I wouldn't be able to play the game that I find natural.
"I work pretty intensely on my craft, I like to think that I have passed down some tricks and nuance to those younger guys. But I am only as good as those around me and I will keep saying that for as long as I am playing the game."
Stewart is set to enter his ninth season with the Cats in 2025, looking to help lead the team back to September action for the eighth time in his career.
With 171 games of experience under his belt, the star defender understands the rigours of a long and gruelling AFL season.
Stewart told SEN that he looks to take things one day at a time, something that has been instilled in him by head coach, Chris Scott.
"It is hard not to mirror the coach's sentiment, he is such a fantastic leader of our footy club and sets the agenda for our week," Stewart said.
"It sets the tone for the way we are going to go after each opponent, so it is hard not to mirror the way he approaches things.
"I am not long in the tooth but I have been around for a little while now, so I am just trying to enjoy each day as it comes.
"I have a young family at home which presents challenges each day, but I am very grateful and lucky to be at a footy club that allows me to play the game that I love and have a crack week in week out."
