“Continual work”: Geelong provides update on absent Stengle

Geelong’s Executive GM of Football Andrew Mackie has provided an update on absent forward Tyson Stengle.

The 27-year-old star took personal leave over the Christmas break and is yet to return to the field in 2026 despite being back at training in late January.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Mackie revealed that the All-Australian is on track to returning to senior football in the coming weeks.

“He’s getting there,” Mackie told SEN Sportsday.

“We want to make sure that we are putting things in place - similar to Patty Dangerfield – make sure we look after the long-term future.

“For the rest of this year, ongoing for the rest of his career and post life to be honest - they are the things we are really working on.

“He’s going well. It’s why winning the last couple of games have been good, because while Patty and Tyson haven’t been in, and a couple of others in that boat too, it really sets us up for the back half of the year when hopefully we get full availability.

“Tyson’s going well, there’s been some real shift going there, and we’ve been really happy with a lot of the things that he’s able to do, but it’s going to be a continual work.

“Hopefully within the next few weeks, we’ll get to see him out there.”

Stengle re-signed with the Cats in 2024 on a five-year-deal, knocking back strong interest from St Kilda at the time.

Geelong will be without Patrick Dangerfield in Round 4, as they prepare for a classic Easter Monday clash against old enemies Hawthorn at the MCG.