By Lance Jenkinson
So often during Deer Park’s record-breaking run of six Western Region Football League division 1 premierships, big man Chris Stewart has been involved in a key moment to change the course of a grand final.
It should be no surprise Stewart was once again involved in all the big moments of the Lions 48-point grand final victory over Hoppers Crossing at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, earning the Herb Pascarl Medal for best-on-ground in the process.
Stewart was tireless, roaming from the defensive 50 metre arc to his own team’s goal square and every blade of grass in between.
He dominated in the ruck and was an imposing presence in the air when either drifting forward or backing back in defence.
You hear the saying, we wish we had two of him, but Stewart covers so much ground that coach Marc Bullen would not be greedy enough to ask the football gods to deliver another Stewart.
The best thing about Stewart, if you talk to his teammates, is he is all about the team.
Stewart backs that up when securing the medal for best-afield in the grand final.
“The Herb Pascarl was never on my mind,” he said. “There was only one medal [a premiership medal] that I wanted.
“I did take a couple of good contested marks and played my role, but I thought Jake McKenzie was outstanding today, Trent Williams’ role on Ashlin Brown was sensational, and Paul Bower was an absolute star, he sold that much candy he could open his own store.
“I’m obviously humbled and honoured to be recognised as the best player in the grand final.”
Stewart provided three game-changing moments in the second quarter on Saturday.
With the game in the balance, Stewart kicked the ball from the ruck contest from mid-air without taking possession and it struck his boot so sweetly it sailed between the big sticks from about 25 metres out.
Moments later, when Hoppers Crossing was in the attack, Stewart drifted across for what could have been a goal-saving mark.
The most underrated act by Stewart that quarter was his strong mark at the edge of the goal square and instead of going back with a goal he would kick 10 out of 10 times, he brought his teammate Jase Perkins into play for an easy goal.
Stewart is one of only two players to play in all six flags, along with Kwame McHarg. Bullen has either been coach or player-coach in all six.
By no means is it a ho hum experience for Stewart.
“You feed off the players who haven’t played in one,” he said. “The boys we brought in this year, Dyson Stevens, Will Krithararis and Paul Bower, just seeing their excitement in the build-up to grand final week and the nerves on them, it’s what you play footy for.”
