Geelong coach Chris Scott has swiped back at veteran sports doctor Peter Larkins after Larkins insinuated that the Cats were mismanaging Tom Stewart’s injury rehab.
Stewart, a three-time All-Australian defender, has been sidelined with a Lisfranc injury in his foot, but has not yet been ruled out for the rest of the season.
After Scott refused to close the door on a potential grand final return for Stewart after last week’s semi-final win over the GWS Giants, Larkins took to twitter to say suggestions the 28-year-old could return this year were “delusional”.
The veteran doctor’s take was slammed by Scott in his mid-week press conference on Wednesday as fiercely defended Geelong’s medical staff.
“Tom is on a program that was laid out by the very best medical experts and anyone who questions that, especially when they’re a level below that expertise, doesn’t really know what they’re talking about,” Scott said.
“He’s following a plan that was laid out right from the start and he just keeps ticking off those days. If he makes it, he makes it; if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. There’s not going to be much room for grey there.
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“We’re confident we have the very best people in Australia certainly, maybe even the world who are across this.
“Someone in the medical profession who hasn’t had the opportunity to look at the situation in detail, throwing haymakers like that from the cheap seats I think is highly unprofessional.
“But maybe he [Larkins] doesn’t consider his role in the game now to be one of a medical profession first, maybe he’s an entertainer.”
After spending a number of weeks in a moon boot, Stewart has resumed running in recent days as he gradually builds the load on his injured foot.
Despite the optimism surrounding Stewart, one star Cat will not return this season, with youngster Brandan Parfitt ruled out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury against the Giants.
Scott’s Cats will face minor premiers Melbourne in a blockbuster preliminary final on Friday night at the Optus Stadium in Perth.