Geelong's premiership hopes have been dealt a massive blow with news star defender Tom Stewart won't play again in 2021 after suffering a foot fracture.
Stewart, who has emerged as one of the Cats' most important players, picked up the Lisfranc injury at training on Thursday and was withdrawn form the team to face St Kilda on Saturday evening.
"Tommy Stewart sustained a foot injury in a marking contest at Thursday's training," Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd said after Stewart was withdrawn.
"He's not available this week and we'll consult relevant specialists over the coming week."
Lisfranc injuries are notoriously slow to rehabilitate and the 28-year-old's 2022 campaign could well be impacted by the injury.
Fox Footy 's Tom Morris reports Stewart will require surgery on the fracture.
Stewart has played 106 games with the Cats since being picked up in the 2016 draft, becoming one of the game's best backmen.
He was named All Australian in 2018 and 2019, a reflection of his rapid rise to the AFL's elite.
He sits among the competition leaders in intercept marks this season and his absence will give coach Chris Scott plenty to think about as Geelong look to go one better in 2021 after losing to Richmond in last year's grand final.
Sam Simpson replaced Stewart in the Cats' selected team for the clash with the Saints.
