Geelong star Tom Stewart will almost certainly miss the AFL grand final after suffering a concussion in the preliminary final win against Hawthorn.
Stewart was subbed out at quarter time with the head knock, which occurred after a driving tackle from Hawks forward Mabior Chol in the first quarter, with the Cats going to defeat Hawthorn by 30 points at the MCG on Friday night.
With Stewart being ruled out with concussion, he will be in concussion protocols for at least 12 days, ruling him out of next Saturday's AFL grand final - which will see the Cats take on either Collingwood or Brisbane.
Tom Stewart has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/rwmGkHqk4u
— AFL (@AFL) September 19, 2025
Stewart's potential plight will stoke debate about whether the AFL should move the pre-finals bye, which currently is scheduled for the week before finals start.
There has been a suggestion - in recent times - that the finals bye should be the week before the grand final - meaning a situation like Stewart's would be avoided.
Hawthorn star Chol faces a nervous wait for the results of the AFL Match Review Officer if the Hawks make the grand final, with his tackle on Stewart to be looked at.
Players have been suspended during the season for tackles that have caused concussions, despite the perpetrator's not meaning to hurt their opponent.
A decision on Chol's tackle will likely be made by AFL MRO on Saturday afternoon.