Fresh concerns have emerged surrounding Tyson Stengle, with fears the Geelong forward may have been targeted in an alleged extortion plot as his AFL future remains uncertain. News Corp has reported that interstate figures may have attempted to exploit Stengle amid fears he is dealing with personal challenges, with claims 'heavies' had sought to take advantage of the premiership star.
The developments come as Stengle remains sidelined under the AFL's 'medical model', a confidential framework that prevents players from taking the field while managing personal or wellbeing-related issues. It was reported earlier this week the AFL had placed Stengle into the program, with one report stating 'the AFL is essentially not allowing Tyson Stengle to play football and that is because of the medical model that they have'.
Stengle's Disconnection and Limited Club Contact
The 27-year-old has not played since last year's grand final and took leave from the Geelong Cats over the off-season to deal with a personal situation. Since returning, his involvement with the club has been limited. Reports indicate he has had only sporadic contact with Geelong since Gather Round and has shown up to training inconsistently. It has also been reported Stengle has 'cut off ties' with those close to him, while separate claims suggest he has 'cut off all ties' with his management.
Further concern has come from his apparent disconnection from club staff and teammates, with questions raised about his ability to return to elite football without consistent training and support structures.
Coach Chris Scott's Vague Responses
Geelong coach Chris Scott has repeatedly declined to provide clarity, insisting the situation is outside his control and largely handled by the AFL. 'No I can't. And again, it's not my role to be across those things,' Scott said when asked for an update. 'I don't have a problem with the media speculating, but they're speculating with less information than I have, and I have less information than other people at the club, who probably have less information than the AFL.'
Scott also confirmed the AFL is dictating the process around Stengle's absence and potential return. 'That's the way the AFL want it to be, so we have to submit to their processes,' he said. 'I'm not even sure that I'm empowered to speak about that. That's how grey these areas are, so it's best that when I'm unsure, I say less.'
When pressed further on whether he should reassure Geelong supporters, Scott rejected the suggestion. 'But to answer your specific question, which I think is a fraction unfair, like it's not my position to settle the nerves of Geelong fans,' he said. 'The situation at the moment ... if people want more information, they probably should direct their questions to the AFL.'
Scott reiterated that even within the club, knowledge of Stengle's situation is limited. 'If I had good information, I probably wouldn't tell you because I'd consider it to be private, but this is one I genuinely don't know.'
Despite the uncertainty, Scott said Stengle's on-field ability remained evident when he has been present. 'I've loved what I've seen from him at training. When we see him out on the training track, we feel like 'OK, we'd like to get this guy into our team as soon as is practical'.' However, the coach refused to provide any further detail about his recent training program or attendance. 'I'm tempted to say it's not your business,' Scott said. 'We don't walk you through the training programs of our players. Everyone's on an individual program, and he's no different.'
Former AFL Great Warns Career May Be Over
Former AFL great Matthew Lloyd has warned the situation may already have reached a critical point, suggesting Stengle's career could be nearing an end. 'Some are saying his career may be hanging by a thread and he may not play at all this year, which is very disappointing for someone with that much talent,' Lloyd said. 'It's hard enough to go well when you're doing everything right, and if he's not turning up or he's not training consistently and he's disconnecting himself from people within the club and outside the club, it does make things pretty tough.'
'And we may not see him again.'
Stengle's Dramatic Fall from Premiership Hero
Stengle's current situation marks a dramatic shift from one of the AFL's most notable comeback stories. After being delisted by Adelaide in 2021 following off-field issues, he revived his career at Geelong, quickly becoming one of the competition's most dangerous small forwards. He played a central role in the club's 2022 premiership and earned All-Australian honours in the same season.
Across his career, Stengle has played more than 100 AFL games and kicked over 170 goals, including 160 goals in four seasons with Geelong alone. His resurgence was rewarded with a long-term contract extension signed in 2024, reportedly worth up to $3.5 million over five years, tying him to the club through to the end of 2029 at approximately $750,000 per season. He is believed to still be receiving his full salary despite his ongoing absence from the team.
Stengle's career has also included previous stints at Richmond and Adelaide, with his time at the latter ending prematurely after he was stood down and later delisted. In July 2024, he was rushed to hospital after being carried out of a Victorian nightclub at 2:30 am in an incident that captain Patrick Dangerfield later described as an 'error in judgement'.
