Geelong forward Tyson Stengle is said to be "one of the game's most in-demand free agents", with two rival Victorian clubs linked to the Cats livewire.

Despite being in just his third season at Geelong, Stengle is eligible as an unrestricted free agent this year given he was previously delisted - having been cut by the Crows prior to earning a lifeline at Kardinia Park.

The 25-year-old has been a bargain recruit for the Cats, with Stengle winning All-Australian honours in his first year with the club where he helped steer Geelong to its most recent premiership.

The Woodville-West Torrens product struggled to back up that campaign last year, managing 27 goals compared to the 53 majors he kicked the season prior.

But Stengle's form is back on the up, with the exciting small forward kicking 18 goals from his nine games to go with 10 goal assists already this year.

The return to form and contract situation has led to rival interest in Stengle, with Essendon and St Kilda reportedly keen on the Geelong attacker.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tyson Stengle of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, the Bombers are "interested in luring him out" of Geelong this off-season.

"Geelong forward Tyson Stengle is one of the game's most in-demand free agents this year," Cleary reported.

"There's confidence the 25-year-old stays at Geelong, but clubs including Essendon are interested in luring him out.

"Stengle's dealings are being looked after by Melbourne businesswoman Anna Scullie, the wide of Eddie Betts."

 

Cleary added to his report later this week on theย Tradies Podcast,ย revealing the Saints are also expressing some level of interest in Stengle, however the Cats remain the most likely home for the small forward beyond 2024.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Stengle said he has left contract talks with the club to his management as he continues to place a focus on his football.

Signalling he doesn't want to depart Geelong, Stengle said a decision will come in due course.

"My manager is working through that at the moment," Stengle said.

"I just keep going out on the footy field and keep playing. I let my manager sort all of that out in the background.

"I'm just trying to focus on my footy and keep playing good footy."

Stengle has played 69 AFL games, having started his career at Richmond before returning to South Australia in 2018 to join the Crows.