GEELONG is preparing to be without star defender Tom Stewart for the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a suspected ankle syndesmosis injury on Saturday.

Stewart, who will be in the mix for All Australian this year, finished the 42-point win over Brisbane in a moon boot after limping from the ground in the first term.

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The 25-year-old's left ankle buckled under Lion Rhys Mathieson while attempting to handball and coach Chris Scott is predicting his defender would spend an extended period on the sidelines.

"I suspect it's not good," Scott said post-match.

"We've had a bit of experience with high ankle sprains and syndesmosis injuries.

"That's the early diagnosis, what it means in terms of the prognosis is a bit of a challenge. We haven't had too many of them bounce back in a couple of weeks."

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Stewart previously injured his left ankle in Geelong's round 12 win over North Melbourne, but Scott ruled out any link with his latest setback.

Captain Joel Selwood defied the odds to return for last year's finals series, playing just five weeks after surgery to repair the ankle syndesmosis he injured in round 20.

Rookie Jack Henry was momentarily shifted to defence during the second term on Saturday as cover for Stewart, before returning forward to finish with three majors.

As dual All Australian defender Harry Taylor continues to recover from a tendon complaint in his left foot, Scott said Henry would be moved back for Friday's date with Richmond.

"I would've thought Jack is an absolute front-runner for that defensive post and we'll have a think about how the forward structure looks," Scott said.

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Dumped forward Wylie Buzza, who last played against Adelaide in round 17, will come into consideration for the forward role after the Cat's VFL side enjoyed the bye this weekend.