Premiership forward Tyson Stengle says his personal 2023 campaign has been a different kind of challenge compared to last season after his mentor departed the club.
Stengle was named an All Australian in his first season at Geelong, with the Cats and his cousin Eddie Betts taking a risk on the estranged forward after a tumultuous start to his AFL career.
But Betts moved on from Geelong after the 2022 premiership, and Stengle said his departure has made the forward more responsible for his actions.
“As you get older, obviously you’ve got to rely on a bit of independence, so you’ve got to start looking after yourself at some point,” he said.
“This is a great challenge for me to move forward and start living life on my own.
Tom Stewart, Tyson Stengle, Patrick Dangerfield, Brandan Parfitt and Mark O’Connor in the 2023 First Nations jersey ahead of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round match against GWS. Picture: Cats Media
“It’s a bit different without Eddie around here at the footy club, but there’s great support around here with the players and staff, I’m finding my feet pretty well without him around.”
Stengle booted 53 goals at an average of 2.1 per game in 2022, including four in the grand final win over the Swans, but he has only kicked seven majors so far in his six games this season.
The small forward missed four weeks with a fractured wrist, and returned for the loss against Fremantle in round 10.
Stengle said it was a great honour to wear the Indigenous jerseys during Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
“It sort of does (give you more motivation) being Indigenous, representing your whole community and obviously the Geelong community as well, and the person who designed this jumper,” he said
“To go out and represent them, you get a bit more extra encouragement.”