Above all, he had everything he needed at Geelong, was happy, could see himself growing into more of a leader at the Cats and knew what the club had done for him, too, since re-entering the fold at the end of 2021. Another switch, as he contemplated his future with his career-defining contract decision, wasn’t something that enticed him.
Stengle, as revealed by AFL.com.au last week, re-signed with Geelong for five more years through to the end of 2029. It came after hot interest in the unrestricted free agent, including from St Kilda, having held off getting into his contract call until after Geelong’s round 14 bye.
But the factors behind his decision to stay at the Cats, where he has played 59 games and kicked 111 goals, were clear.
“They obviously gave me a lifeline back in 2022 so I really wanted to stay. That was my preference so to get it done I was more than happy,” Stengle told AFL.com.au.
“I waited most of the year and wanted to let my footy do the talking. I just focused on playing good footy and let my manager do all the other work behind the scenes. I wanted to go out and play footy and luckily enough have been able to play good footy for most of the year.
“I have a good connection with the whole playing group. They made my decision a bit easier to stay. Obviously going to a whole new club you have to make new friends and get used to the new environment which is a bit uncomfortable for me so I felt comfortable staying here with friends I’ve already got. Staying down here with the playing group where I already know everyone [was important], they respect me and I respect them.”
Stengle’s was one of the most unique contract decisions of 2024. Having already been at Richmond and then Adelaide, Stengle was delisted by the Crows in early 2021 before returning to dominate at Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL.
Months later, he joined the Cats as a delisted free agent as he fought for his career. But he did more than that, kicking 53 goals in 2022, winning an All-Australian jumper and booting four goals in a blistering Grand Final win over Sydney.
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