Geelong Cuts Ties With Stengle as $2.1M Contract Unravels, July 23

Geelong is negotiating an early exit with Tyson Stengle after the 2022 premiership forward spent 2026 absent from the field due to personal issues. Stengle has three years and approximately $2.1 million left on his contract but talks between the club and his management are progressing toward a settlement. The situation marks a turning point for how AFL clubs manage long-term deals with players facing off-field challenges.

Why Stengle’s career at Geelong is ending

Stengle, 27, has not played at AFL level this season. He returned to VFL in June but missed a flight before a reserves match, prompting Geelong coach Chris Scott to signal the club’s limits on support. Scott said the Cats are not a charity and have high performance expectations despite their commitment to player welfare. Stengle is now back in South Australia, having distanced himself from the club throughout the year.

The contract and settlement negotiations

Stengle signed a five-year deal with Geelong in 2024 worth around $700,000 to $750,000 per season. He still has three years remaining, totalling approximately $2.1 million. Conversations between the Cats and Stengle’s management are progressing toward a resolution. The key issue is how much of the remaining contract Geelong must pay and whether any settlement counts toward the club’s salary cap under AFL rules.

What this means for AFL contract law

The Stengle exit, alongside Collingwood’s Bobby Hill departure, has sparked debate about contract clauses in the AFL. Both players have $5 million combined remaining on their deals but are leaving mid-contract due to off-field issues. Journalist Lauren Wood noted this could reshape how every AFL club structures long-term deals, with strict behavioural clauses now likely to follow. The question looms whether clubs should have greater power to exit contracts when players repeatedly fail to meet professional obligations.

Stengle’s AFL history and the 2022 premiership

Stengle played 93 games for Geelong and kicked 160 goals, including 53 in their flag season. He kicked four goals in the 2022 Grand Final win over Sydney. Before joining Geelong, he played for Adelaide and Richmond. His AFL career has been marked by personal challenges that have interrupted his availability to clubs.

Final Thoughts

Stengle’s likely exit signals a shift in how AFL clubs will draft long-term contracts, with behavioural clauses and performance obligations expected to tighten. An agreement could be reached by the end of July, setting a precedent for handling mid-contract departures.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.