The Geelong Cats have forced the hand of four players to put pen to paper, extending the contracts of star defender Tom Stewart, as well as Lachie Fogarty, Charlie Constable and Mark O'Connor.

Stewart's new deal will make him a Cat until the end of the 2021 season, anchoring him as the defensive glue for Geelong for the future after proving himself this season in the absence of fellow backmen Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson.

โ€œIโ€™m very grateful to be in the position Iโ€™m in, playing at this fantastic club,โ€ Stewart told geelongcats.com.au.

โ€œThere was absolutely no hesitation to sign and I was very proud when they [Geelong Cats] came to me with the extra couple of years.โ€

Fogarty and Constable have signed similar deals to Stewart and will also be at the Cattery until the conclusion of the 2021 season, meanwhile the Irishman O'Connor has signed just a one-year deal.

Geelong General Manager Simon Lloyd has high praise for their extended defensive star and believes that he can take the team to another level.

โ€œTom is heavily invested in our football program, consistently driving club standards and endeavouring to be better," Lloyd toldย geelongcats.com.au.

โ€œTomโ€™s passion for Geelong as a club and region is genuine, he is committed to giving back to the football community who shaped him as the footballer he is today."