Geelong star Tom Stewart has admitted he still feels “ill” over his hit on Richmond’s Dion Prestia, opening up on his apology to the Tigers star.
Stewart will front the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night as a result of his dangerous high bump that left Prestia with a concussion, and is likely to receive a ban in excess of three weeks.
The three-time All-Australian admitted he’s still struggling to come to terms with what he called a “poor act and a poor decision”, and is prepared to wear whatever suspension the tribunal determines.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says Wimbledon’s decision is ‘stupidest thing ever’
READ MORE: DCE, Billy Slater bristle at ’embarrassment’ question after State of Origin thrashing
READ MORE: Maroons torched in State of Origin II player ratings
READ MORE: Opinions divided on controversial Origin call
“I’ve never been through this process before,” he told reporters on Monday.
“I’m at the mercy of the tribunal now and I understand that it was a poor act and a poor decision by myself, but I have to live with that now and that’s the hardest thing for me.”
Stewart revealed he’d gotten Prestia’s number off the latter’s teammate Jack Riewoldt, and commended the Tigers star for being understanding.
“Nothing that I can say now justifies the actions that I showed on the day, but my immediate response was to just make sure Dion was OK,” he said.
“I reached out to him immediately after the game, (Jack) Riewoldt gave me his number, and he was in good spirits. He understood that there was no malicious intent and it was a poor decision by me.
“It was (a tough conversation). Nothing makes it easier, but the way that he understood that my intent wasn’t to maliciously hurt him and the way it happened wasn’t directly meant for him, made me feel a little bit more at ease. But it’s still been a pretty long few days.”
Stewart’s hit on Prestia reignited calls for a send-off rule to be introduced to the AFL, given the starring role he played in Geelong’s three-point win over Richmond, and he admitted it was tough to remain on the field after the incident.
“It was really, really difficult,” he said.
“I understood that I’d made a wrong decision and it still sits in my gut and still makes me feel quite ill. I understood that in that moment all I could do was to try and help the team.
“Unfortunately, with whatever happens going forward (at the tribunal), I can’t do that for however long that period is. That was the one thing I had in my mind, that I can’t undo what I did, but all I could do was to help the team win on that day.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Where are they now: Looking back at every AFL No.1 draft pick since 2000
