Geelong head coach Chris Scott has stated he is reluctant to speculate on the indefinite absence of small forward Tyson Stengle, after reports emerged the star has “cut off all ties” with a number of people within his inner circle.
Stengle, an All-Australian, hasn’t played an AFL game so far in 2026 after back-to-back full seasons for the Cats as the club manages him through an ‘individualised program’, as per their weekly injury report.
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Speaking to media on Wednesday morning at Kardinia Park, Scott remained cagey over the 27-year-old’s personal circumstances that continue to prevent him playing professional football.
“It’s not my role to be across those things. I’d hate to sound defensive of it, but what I think I’ve learned over the years is to acknowledge the different roles that people have in these sorts of situations,” Scott said.
“I don’t have a problem with the media speculating, but they are speculating with less information than I have — and I have less information than other people at the club have, who probably have less information than the AFL have.”
“It’s reasonable to say in this situation, more so than say Gryan (Miers’) situation, you’re just asking the wrong person. One, if I had good information, I probably wouldn’t tell you anyway because I’d consider it to be private. But, this is one where I genuinely don’t know.”
Seven’s Tom Morris reported that the AFL “was essentially not allowing Stengle to play football … because of the medical model they have”.
“That’s the way the AFL want it (a vague return timeline). So, we need to submit to their processes,” Scott continued.
“It’s not my position to settle the nerves of Geelong fans … if people want more information, they probably should direct their questions to the AFL.
“I’ve loved what I’ve seen from him at training. When we see him out on the training track, we feel like: ‘We’d like to get this guy into our team as soon as practical’.”
When asked how his training consistency had been over the past few weeks, Scott responded: “I’m tempted to say that’s none of your business … we don’t walk you through the training programs of our players. Everyone’s on an individual program, and he’s no different.”
On Tuesday evening, Geelong released their weekly injury report that revealed they are continuing to explore the best course of action to manage a knee injury to Gryan Miers, after initial fears the damaging half-forward had torn his ACL.
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It’s understood Miers has avoided an ACL tear, with the club waiting in the short-term to see if it’s possible to have him return to the fold without needing surgery.”
“I’m taking the approach that I think everyone else should take, and that is to just be patient and wait until the experts have made their assessment — which they haven’t done yet,” Scott said.
“I understand that there’s a little bit of information out there, and I’m not going to add to that speculation. Expect to say, that there’s room for an open mind on this one. As always with injury … I don’t think it’s the worst process for the coach to be the last to know on these things.
“He’s not available this week, so he’s not dominating my thinking. I’ll be brought in at the right time … once there’s some decision to be made, then I’m sure I’ll be brought across it.”
Geelong travel to Adelaide this weekend to play Port Adelaide on the Saturday night of Anzac Day.
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