DUAL All-Australian defender Tom Stewart will avoid a mad rush back to Victoria should his first child arrive deep into this year's finals series.
Stewart has been joined in the Cats' Gold Coast hub with his pregnant wife, Emma, who is due to give birth in early November.
An integral part of the Cats' premiership tilt, Stewart is preparing to remain in Queensland should things happen sooner than expected.
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"She came up about a month ago, it's been an amazing time for us spending some time together expecting our first child," Stewart told ABC Grandstand after the Cats' 66-point demolition of Essendon on Sunday.
"She's due in early November, she's been amazing, she's an amazing support person and I can't thank her enough for allowing me to be up here doing what I love.
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"We're going to keep each other strong, keep each other positive. If all goes well, we'll be playing finals footy and that's what we're here for.
"I think we'll be staying up here. There's a lot going on with the world and I think we're leaning towards staying up here."
And if the birth coincides with Grand Final day on October 24?
"We haven't had that conversation yet but, as I said, she's an amazing partner and I'm sure we'll make the right decision," Stewart said.
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The Cats are likely to welcome back captain Joel Selwood for Friday night's clash against a Richmond side that will include Dylan Grimes off a hamstring setback.
