Mental Health(XMEN)

Timeline

1. 15 Jan

   Occurred

   Personal leave - taking time away from club for support

   13 fixtures missed
2. 28 Mar

   Progress update

   The feel I get is that it is sooner rather than later. Stengle edging closer to VFL return, turned heads at training, AFL return looms.

   AFL.com.au
3. 16 May

   Setback

   Reverting premature POSSIBLE. Original flip on 2026-03-28 used IN_FULL_TRAINING signal — physical-readiness signal misapplied to XMEN (mental health/personal leave). Apr 20 SEN report "Failure to train keeping talented Cat on the outer" confirms he has not returned to consistent training; has not appeared in VFL or AFL through R10 mid-round (2026-05-17). Mental health absences require explicit medical/club welfare CLEARED or SELECTION signal, not training-readiness inference. Failure to train keeping talented Cat on the outer

   SEN
4. 13 June

   Returned to play

   Returned via VFL

   Returned after 13 fixtures missed

   Returned via VFL — first game of 2026 in Geelong VFL's Round 12 win over Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium on 2026-06-13 (4 goals, 16 disposals) after a season-long personal/wellbeing absence. First competitive appearance closes the absence (single-return model).

   Geelong Cats