{"id":121095,"date":"2025-09-22T13:14:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T03:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/cats-fans-pack-gmhba-stadium-for-grand-final-training\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T13:29:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T03:29:58","slug":"cats-fans-pack-gmhba-stadium-for-grand-final-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/sport\/cats-fans-pack-gmhba-stadium-for-grand-final-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Cats fans pack GMHBA Stadium for Grand Final training"},"content":{"rendered":"

THOUSANDS of Cats fans flooded into GMHBA Stadium earlier today (Monday, September 22) to cheer on their heroes as Geelong held an open training session ahead of Saturday\u2019s AFL Grand Final.<\/p>\n

The occasional burst of inclement weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the supporters, who turned out to see the team prepare for its premiership tilt against Brisbane.<\/p>\n

Players jogged laps and ran training drills in the centre of the stadium while a handful, including Bailey Smith, Tom Atkins and Brad Close walked along the boundary line to sign autographs and pose for photos.<\/p>\n

Smith \u2013 who is one of the leading contenders at tonight\u2019s Brownlow Medal count \u2013 was especially popular with fans.<\/p>\n

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Bailey Smith was among the Cats players to sign autographs and pose for photos. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Cats will go into the Grand Final without key defender Tom Stewart, who was ruled out of the season decider under concussion protocols after he was hurt in a tackle during the Preliminary Final.<\/p>\n

Fellow defender Jack Henry is also in some doubt with an ankle injury sustained during the rousing 30-point win over Hawthorn on Friday last week.<\/p>\n

Geelong coaches and players have offered their support to Stewart, who addressed the situation on Saturday via social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously shattered with what happened last night, but so grateful and overwhelmed with all of the love and support I have received by so many,\u201d Stewart posted on Instagram.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t be more proud of this group and to be a part of this amazing club is something that I truly cherish. How bout them Cats! LFG.\u201d<\/p>\n

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This trio of Cats fans brought signs to the session. Photo: MARCEL BERENS SPORTSMEDIA<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/blockquote>\n

Speaking at the open training session, Geelong winger Max Holmes \u2013 who missed the 2022 Grand Final because of injury \u2013 admitted Stewart was feeling \u201ca bit flat\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in high spirits around the boys, but I know through experience it\u2019s a brutal position to be in,\u201d Holmes said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a horrible thing to see happen to him and I think it absolutely calls for a pre-Grand Final bye this week.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Holmes said Stewart had asked him about how he handled not being part of the Grand Final side.<\/p>\n

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Geelong players run a lap of the stadium. Photo: MARCEL BERENS SPORTSMEDIA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI said I cried a lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know… people work through things in different ways, I didn\u2019t necessarily handle it as well as I possibly could have.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m shattered for him, but he\u2019ll be all right in the end, and we\u2019ll go again for him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2013 WITH AAP<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n