Geelong coach Chris Scott is optimistic Tyson Stengle’s return to football isn’t far away, declaring the 27-year-old’s absence won’t end up being a long-term thing.
Stengle took an extended Christmas break citing personal reasons but returned to training in late January and is in the process of building back up.
The 2022 All-Australian will make his return to VFL ranks when he is deemed fully fit, and while Scott is not searching for any timelines, he is optimistic it’s not too far away.
“The feel I get is that it’s sooner rather than later,” Scott said.
“All we could say with certainty is it’s not going to be a long-term thing.
“To me he’s in pretty good shape. He always looks sharp when the footy is near him and he looks that way to me, so that’s a good sign.”
Stengle has averaged 40 goals a season since arriving at Geelong four years ago, and his early-season absence leaves a massive void in attack.
Scott’s immediate concern is ensuring last week’s flop against Gold Coast is just a one-off occurrence.
Geelong trailed by 79 points at three-quarter time on the way to the 56-point defeat, and the pressure is on to turn it around in Saturday’s clash with Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium.
