There are few modern success stories in the AFL quite like that of Tom Stewart.

When Stewart runs out against Collingwood this weekend, the Geelong star will be celebrating his 200th game at AFL level — a milestone that once seemed incredibly far-fetched for the left-field rookie selection from South Barwon.

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Taken with pick No. 40 in the 2016 National Draft as a mature-aged recruit, Stewart arrived at the Cattery with little fanfare compared to the top-end talent around him. At 23 and coming from the local leagues, there was curiosity over whether his game could translate to AFL level so swiftly.

A decade on, history already tells us Stewart will become one of the defining defenders of his generation.

“I have (reflected). Obviously in the off-season you understand that game 200 is not too far into the season. I’ve taken a few quiet moments this week to let some know that are close to me how much they mean to me,” Stewart told media in Geelong on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s a nice moment when you get a milestone to pause and reflect on those who do play a significant part of your journey.

“I’ll give ‘Scarlo’ (Matthew Scarlett) a call … I’m looking forward to, once again, letting him know the impact that he had on me when I was a young fella (and) let him understand the significance of the role he played in the infancy years of my career.

“He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I was happy just playing local football, and he really gave me belief in myself that I could play at a high level; whether that was VFL or where my career’s landed now.”

Tom Stewart (top centre) before being drafted in a Geelong VFL match against the Footscray Bulldogs at Whitten Oval in Round 10, 2016 on June 11, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Scott Barbour via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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The intercept kingpin has built a decorated career on an elite awareness of the play coming towards him, admirable composure under pressure and an ability to launch attacks from half-back with precision ball use. In an era where defenders are now judged just as heavily on offence as defence, Stewart has mastered both.

Five All-Australian blazers, a premiership in 2022 and a two-time best-and-fairest winner suggest he’s just about as good as any defender we’ve seen since the turn of the century.

Remarkably, the 190cm defender earned his maiden All-Australian selection in just his second AFL season to immediately announce himself as one of the competition’s premier intercept players.

He maintains this week isn’t truly about him and more so around those close to him that helped him become the star he is, but did admit he’s come a long way since becoming a young adult.

“I was a long way off it when I was an 18-year-old, and to be sitting here preparing for game 200 is really special. It’s not something I take lightly at all, and it’s not something I take for granted,” Stewart said.

“It’s almost not about me this week, it’s about the people who have got me to this point and those who have supported me over the journey.”

“I like to think that outside of last year, which was a bit of an anomaly with my body, that I’m in a really good spot mentally and physically to continue to play the game.

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An emotional Stewart teared up when asked about his career highlights, which beyond the 2022 premiership, sits very close to home.

“It’s hard to look at them (in the press conference). Running out with those two for my 150th was special; I’ll cherish that moment on the weekend. I think when I played in my 100th game it was just (his eldest child). It was a bit overwhelming doing it the first time, but I’m just going to soak it all in.

“To be out on the MCG against Collingwood with my kids is just going to be amazing.”

Sharing a magic milestone at the sporting colosseum on Saturday night is Collingwood stalwart Scott Pendlebury, who will equal Brent Harvey’s all-time V/AFL games record with his 432nd appearance at the top level.

His Magpies teammate Pat Lipinski will also play his 150th match at the top level, as Stewart flagged in his media conference.

Scott Pendlebury is tackled by Tom Stewart during Collingwood and Geelong’s Round 18 match at the MCG on July 12, 2024 (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“You talk about poster boys, he’s the poster boy for longevity. His footy nouse, IQ, his smarts and the way he obviously prepares for the game is second to none,” he said of Pendlebury.

“You walk out alongside blokes like Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, and play against blokes like ‘Pendles’ and Dustin Martin; it’s a pretty amazing era of footy to play, and he’s right up at the upper echelon of that … I’m glad to share the field with him again.”

Asked as to how he himself was faring physically after an interrupted 2025, Stewart replied: “Last year was really challenging, obviously through injury and the concussion towards the end of the year. The club gave me a lot of space and time to refresh mentally and physically — I’ve come back in really good shape.

“I think my advantage is probably the position that I play … as long as I’m contributing in a positive way and having the impact on the group that I want to, I’ll play for as long as I can.”