GEELONG coach Chris Scott isn't afraid of a grand statement and he boldly declared Tom Stewart is the best defender in the game after a dominant display in Saturday's 42-point win over Adelaide.

The Crows won the clearances (51-45) yet were thwarted on countless occasions by Stewart intercepting their forward thrusts and beginning Geelong's own.

The three-time Therabody All-Australian, who missed last year's finals series due to a foot injury, had a career-best 40 disposals with 16 marks and 17 intercepts.

Stewart (87) is behind only James Sicily (92) for marks this season, averaging 8.7 per game, while he's equal seventh in the league for intercept marks with 29 in 2022.

"I'm biased but I think he's the best defender in the game," Scott said. 

"Tom Stewart was just sensational today. If we didn't have him behind the ball when they were winning the stoppages it would've been really difficult for us.

"He's improving, that's probably the best description, off a very, very high base. He's important for us.

"He was crucial for us last year, to lose him going into the finals was a big loss and I think we're seeing exactly what a loss that was right at the moment."

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Scott Post-Game | Round 11

Hear from senior coach Chris Scott following Geelong's Round 11 victory against Adelaide on Saturday. presented by Morris.

Stewart has a new partner down back developing into a gun too, with Sam De Koning fast emerging over the past month as a contender for the NAB AFL Rising Star.

The 21-year-old is yet to be nominated for the award but will be hard to beat in round 11 after 19 disposals, nine marks and 11 intercepts.

"I'm trying to keep the lid on it a little bit," Scott said. 

"I don’t know how long ago it was … but he played a game and our supporters here at Geelong were going, 'We love this guy right now but we're going to love him a lot for the next 10 years'.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 28: Zach Tuohy of the Cats and Sam De Koning of the Cats attempts to mark the ball during the round 11 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium on May 28, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

"A couple of weeks ago I thought he had a great contest (against Max King). I likened it to Glen Jakovich and Wayne Carey, that might be a little bit of an exaggeration as they're two of the greats, but I think Sam has the potential to be one of those guys that people go to the footy to see."

Scott said forward Gary Rohan, who was withdrawn with hamstring tightness, would be available to face the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, while Rhys Stanley's ankle issue was "lingering a little bit" but the ruckman was likely for round 12.