2012
A mature aged recruit from Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, taken at pick #23 by Port Adelaide at the 2006 AFL National Draft. Drafted as a Half-forward flanker who capped his season off with a 2006 SANFL Premiership medal, has been used predominantly by as a medium defender in the AFL, having a breakout season in 2010 playing 20 of Port Adelaide's 22 games.
With a change of coach came a change in position for Stewart in 2011, pushing up more into the midfield to utilise his more solid frame assisting the smaller and less experienced midfielders. Unfortunately after getting omitted from the 22 after Round 7 he returned to his SANFL squad and injured his right shoulder, requiring a full shoulder reconstruction and abruptly ending his season.
If 2010 was a breakout year for Stewart in defence, he has put himself onto the national map as resourceful utility shouldering the "Mr. Fix-it" role previously held by former Port Adelaide champion Chad Cornes. With John Butcher's interrupted preseason, hip complaints through the entire year and Jay Schulz's injuries caused through courage (vs Western Bulldogs) and "accidental" contact (vs Adelaide Crows). A replacement was required to fill this huge void, Paul Stewart took this opportunity with both hands and ran with it. Known behind the scenes as one of the best kicks for goal by his teammates in the club, remaining cool and calm front of goals - coming on as substitute - against North Melbourne. Stewart accelerated out of Michael Firrito's attempted tackle, kicking the winning goal putting Port Adelaide ahead in the dying seconds of the match. His nous up forward was on display in rounds 15 against Adelaide and round 17 against Melbourne, with 4 and 5 goals respectively.
With the return of the tall forward Jay Schulz after a long injury layoff, Stewart seamlessly returned to his more utility role for the rest of the 2012 season.
Read more about this topic: Paul Stewart (Australian Footballer)