Tyson Stengle Departs Geelong After Mutual Agreement on July 31

Geelong Cats and Tyson Stengle have mutually agreed to part ways, with the deal finalised on Friday, July 31. The 27-year-old All-Australian forward still had three years remaining on a $700,000-per-season extension signed in 2024. Stengle cited personal issues and mental health concerns in his decision to step away from AFL football. He played 93 games for the Cats since joining at the end of 2021 and was a key member of their 2022 premiership team.

Why Stengle left mid-contract

Stengle had been absent from the club frequently this season due to off-field issues. He played only one VFL game in 2026 and last appeared at AFL level in Geelong’s 2025 Grand Final loss to Brisbane. Coach Chris Scott said in June that Stengle was “miles off” a return and indicated the club had limits to its patience. In a statement on his Instagram account, Stengle said he had decided to step away from AFL football to move home and be with family where he felt more comfortable. He described the decision as tough but necessary for his mental health.

His achievements at Geelong

Since arriving at the end of 2021, Stengle played 93 games for Geelong and kicked 160 goals. He won All-Australian honours in his debut season in 2022 and kicked four goals in the club’s Grand Final victory over Sydney that year. Geelong executive general manager football Andrew Mackie said the club was proud to have shared his achievements, including playing over 100 games across his career and being part of a premiership team. Stengle finished his career on 109 games and 175 goals across all clubs.

Settlement details and contract buyout

Geelong, the AFLPA and Stengle’s management finalised the agreement on Friday. The settlement saw Geelong make payments for part of his remaining contract, but only a relatively small fraction of what he would have earned in 2027. The savings to the club will still run into millions. The deal came hours after Collingwood reached a similar settlement with Bobby Hill, the 2023 premiership forward who was racially abused on social media.

Stengle’s career path before Geelong

Stengle started his AFL career at Richmond, playing two games before moving to Adelaide, where he played 14 games. He was cut by Adelaide in 2020 for off-field issues and spent time in the SANFL before Geelong gave him a career lifeline at the end of 2021. Stengle thanked the club, coaching staff, teammates and fans for their support through both great times and tough times, saying their loyalty meant more to him than they would ever know.

Final Thoughts

Stengle’s departure marks the end of a redemption story that peaked with a 2022 premiership but unravelled due to personal struggles. Both player and club chose mutual separation over continued conflict, prioritising his mental health over the remaining $2.1 million on his contract.

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