Tyson Stengle didn't think he'd reach 100 games. Then he joined Geelong
At that stage, he figured he'd be happy returning to play alongside mates in the SANFL at Woodville-West Torrens and help them chase the 2021 premiership.
But, when he reflects now, there was something sitting in his belly that would not be denied.
'I trained on my own for a couple of months and got fitter than I had ever been before. I guess there [was] a little bit of fire there from just being on your own,' Stengle said.
His talent was evident as he helped the Eagles win the South Australian flag, kicking 44 goals in 19 games as he shared the premiership dais with former Cat Daniel Menzel.
By season's end, the Cats earned Stengle's signature as they tried to find the elusive spark to push them from preliminary final exits and a grand final loss to a flag.
Their skipper at the time, Joel Selwood, remembers the players instantly taking a liking to Stengle as a person and then being spellbound as he showed his talent around goal.
'He was just that potent,' Selwood said.
Stengle had enjoyed his time at Richmond and Adelaide and learned lessons at both clubs that would stand him in good stead when he arrived at the Cats, ready to prove his doubters wrong.
'Geelong understood from the moment I walked in the door I am a quieter bloke,' Stengle said.
'Then they respected me as a person and the way I liked to go about my life and go about my footy, which is not putting too much pressure on me to do this and do that. They do that with everyone at the club.'
He worked hard on understanding his role and was encouraged to let his strengths shine, which was his clean hands and ability to get busy under the feet of key forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.
And he began to realise what the club valued most was a good teammate who was willing to learn as they matured.
He still doesn't take the opportunity for granted.
'I am grateful for what they have done for me and how much they have trusted me and respected me as a player to play me every week for three or four years,' Stengle said.
'I love going out there and playing with my teammates and getting my teammates involved, and doing the little things on defence and doing the little things in offence, even if it is a tap-on to a teammate or a score assist, or just getting involved in the scoring chain to help the team out. I get a lot of excitement out of that.'
The Cats have played him virtually every week, even refusing to yield to media pressure when Stengle created a minor storm in 2024 when he went from a Geelong nightclub to hospital in the back of an ambulance after their round 21 match.
They made sure he was OK, offered him any support he might need and then picked him and played him the next week against Adelaide.
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Coach Chris Scott and captain Patrick Dangerfield were strong in their public support of Stengle as any conversations required occurred behind doors. During that period, the forward turned off his phone, listened to those who mattered to him, accepted the hugs of his teammates and his blip remained just that.
'The most important part was that Geelong had my back the whole way through,' Stengle said.
'They supported me, and they put everything around me, and they wanted to help me … that is why I am so grateful to this footy club. They always have their players' back no matter what. They never judge you. They are always trying to find a way to support you.'
That support has led him to this milestone, friends and family driving and flying in from Ceduna and Adelaide to help the Wirangu and Ngarrindjeri man celebrate the occasion. They know best what a mighty effort it is for Stengle to reach his 100th game.
Stengle appreciates their help, putting his performance down to those around him.
'I've had a lot of good players around me which made me a much better player, [and] that helped me perform as I did [in 2022]. Ever since then the players and the coaches around me have helped me to improve a lot,' he said.
His premiership skipper's respect for his resilience and skill has not diminished as Stengle backed up his first season to become a regular for the Cats.
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'Only certain players can play like him. He is light on his feet and can move laterally and sideways. He is that dynamic,' Selwood said.
Contracted until 2029, Stengle will share his milestone match with Dangerfield who will play his 350th AFL game.
'It means a lot. Obviously, I really didn't think I would get to this position,' Stengle said.
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