Scott said Stewart was prepared to cop whatever penalty was appropriate but said his defender’s response showed his character.
“He knows he has done the wrong thing. Was it deliberate? Of course it wasn’t. He has made an error and people[who] do that I admire. He is prepared to stand up and say ‘I was wrong,’” Scott said.
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“He should have some comfort in the fact that that is not him and it was an error of execution and that was all. He is a pretty emotional guy,he was feeling it ... and it weighs heavily on him. He will pay a price,there is no doubt about that.”
Stewart,reported on the spot for rough conduct,could face as long as four matches on the sidelines depending on whether the impact is graded as severe,which would trigger a tribunal hearing.
Stewart’s shoulder collected Prestia in the head as the triple premiership Tiger tried to tap the ball to a teammate. Prestia,who was best on ground against Carlton last week,was motionless for several minutes before being subbed out of the game at quarter-time and replaced by Ivan Soldo.
The impact is certain to be rated,at the least,as high,and will possibly be considered intentional rather than careless as Stewart ran past the ball and elected to bump.
Stewart’s absence would be significant as Geelong struggled at the end of last season when he was sidelined with a foot injury. The Cats also sorely missed the All-Australian when he was concussed early in the round 12 match against the Western Bulldogs.
Richmond defender Robbie Tarrant also underwent a concussion test early in Saturday’s game after courageously running with the flight of the ball to spoil Geelong forward Jack Henry deep in the Cats’ forward 50.
Geelong’s Tom Stewart will come under MRO scrutiny after collecting Dion Prestia.Credit:Fox Footy
Tarrant hit the deck and was examined before being cleared to play,rejoining the action late in the second quarter.
Geelong were faced to make a late change before the match when Gary Rohan withdraw after becoming ill. Defender Zach Guthrie came in,while Cooper Stephens was named as the new sub. It led to Jack Henry playing forward
The Tigers also made a change late with Ivan Soldo becoming the sub after being originally named in the 22 and Hugo Ralphsmith taking his spot in the team. While Scott questioned why teams are allowed to do that,a bemused Hardwick said it was completely within the rules.
AFL rules state that changes can be made without any exemption being required if the player is on the team list of 26 submitted.
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