Geelong coach Chris Scott has described Tom Stewart’s unavailability for next week’s grand final as a “shattering situation” after the champion defender entered concussion protocols on Friday night during the Cats’ preliminary final win over Hawthorn.

Stewart was subbed out in the first quarter after having his head forcefully driven into the turf while being tackled by Hawks forward Mabior Chol.

The incident has already sparked fierce debate about the placement of the late-season bye, which currently occurs after the final round rather than prior to the grand final, given the fact that an affected player must remain in the protocols for 12 days and be unavailable to play during that period.

“I’m very pro a week off before the grand final, if we can sneak that in this year,” Scott joked

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