Stengle a step closer to All-Australian

TYSON Stengle’s stunning story of redemption could include an All-Australian blazer after the Geelong small forward was named in the 44-man squad released by the AFL.

The former Richmond and Adelaide player, who kicked 46 goals during the home-and-away season, is one of five Cats vying for a spot in the final team unveiled Wednesday night.

Key forwards Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, who both finished with 59 goals, the versatile Mark Blicavs and reigning best-and-fairest Tom Stewart are also in contention.

Stengle and Blicavs are both chasing their first blazer, Cameron his third after making the All-Australian team twice while at the GWS Giants, Stewart his fourth and Hawkins his fifth.

Stewart and Hawkins both made the 2021 team.

Geelong’s five squad selections are second only to Melbourne, which has six players in contention.

Mark Blicavs
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 17.7 disposals, 76.9 per cent disposal efficiency, 14.6 hitouts, four hitouts to advantage and 3.3 clearances.

Jeremy Cameron
2013 and 2019 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 2.8 goals, 0.8 goal assists, 1.1 score assists, 16.2 disposals, six marks, 1.1 contested mark, and 1.4 tackles per game.

Tom Hawkins
2012, 2019, 2020, 2021 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.7 goals, 1.2 goal assists, two score assists, 13.2 disposals, 63.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.9 marks, 1.8 contested marks and 1.4 tackles per game.

Tyson Stengle
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.1 goals, 1.2 score assists, 14.6 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.5 ground ball gets, 2.3 tackles and 3.5 inside 50s per game.

Tom Stewart
2018, 2019 and 2021 All Australian
17 matches this season
Averages 24.2 disposals, 18.2 kicks, 83.7 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.6 marks, 2.9 intercept marks, 2 tackles, 3.9 spoils, 6.2 rebound 50s and 0.8 goals conceded per game.

Image: Tyson Stengle kicked four goals in Geelong’s win over West Coast. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)