AFL 2021: Tom Stewart analysis, Geelong def Western Bulldogs, reaction, All-Australian, form, best defender in the AFL

Gary Rohan was the matchwinner, but Tom Stewart was the reason he even had the chance.

The dual All-Australian defender was already in the midst of a career-best season, but his remarkable performance against the Western Bulldogs has virtually locked him into earning a third blazer.

In an undermanned Geelong defence, which lost Lachie Henderson with a hip injury just an hour before the bounce, Stewart was an absolute wall.

Stream selected Fox Footy shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including AFL 360, On The Couch, Bounce & more. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Register Free Now >

He tied the record for the most intercept marks in the last 20 years, with 10, and had 15 intercept possessions in total.

But it wasn’t just about his defensive efforts; finishing with 27 disposals and six score involvements, he was able to launch several Cats attacks, including one last-quarter goal.

Cats pip Dogs in all-time thriller! | 02:39

“You don’t accumulate the sort of numbers he was able to tonight without exposing yourself a little bit,” St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown added: “I thought he was a forward last week he was playing that far in front of his man, and it makes you think he’s got a full license from the coaching staff to be really aggressive with his positioning.”

The Cats clearly trust Stewart to play up the ground as required.

“It’s one of the best games I’ve seen a half-back flanker play,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said post-game.

Stewart’s Cats teammate Zach Tuohy told ABC radio: “Tom Stewart is the best defender in the game.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about it anymore, I’ve suspected it for a while. He’s a really special player.”

It helps that Stewart is training under two of the greatest defenders of the modern era, Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright.

“That was one of the better games I’ve played in in my career,” Stewart said post-match.

“It’s a product of the pressure up the field and the boys around me as well. Jack Henry played another awesome game tonight so massive credit to him as well. A few stuck for me tonight.

“Matthew Scarlett has been a fantastic influence on me and not only him but having Corey Enright as an extra set of ears as another champion defender.

“All the coaches have really worked hard on me and hopefully they’re starting to see some good things come out of it.”

Stewart has never polled more than one Brownlow vote in an AFL match, but deserves all three from Friday night.