GEELONG coach Chris Scott has hailed Joel Selwood as the greatest player he has seen ahead of the courageous Cats captain’s 350th AFL game.
Wearing a ‘Selwood 350′ t-shirt, Scott on Friday paid the ultimate tribute to Geelong’s games record-holder.
The 46-year-old, who played with Brownlow medallists Michael Voss, Simon Black and Jason Akermanis in a premiership golden era at the Brisbane Lions, made it clear where he thought Selwood stood in the history of the AFL.
“I feel so privileged to have worked with such a great captain,” Scott told reporters.
“I think the positional comparisons are hard, but I’ll just say it, and I think I’ve said it before that I find it hard to compare eras, but he’s the best player I’ve seen in my time when you take everything into consideration.
“In terms of impact on a football club and assistance to a head coach, I can’t think of any better.”
It came after fellow modern Geelong legend Tom Hawkins on Tuesday called Selwood the Cats’ greatest player.
Selwood, who holds the VFL/AFL record for most games captained, is preparing to lead the ladder-leading Cats out in a big match against the surging Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old has not ruled out trying to become just the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to reach 400 games.
“I sometimes let the mind wander, but to be honest, it’s only to the end of the season and lifting up that premiership cup,” Selwood said.
“That’s exactly where I’m at at the moment … our group is playing great footy, but we still think we have steps to take.
“Four hundred? I don’t think so, but maybe.”
Geelong, who are already a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder, welcome back star defender Tom Stewart following his four-match suspension for a big bump on Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia.
Stewart will slot straight back into a Cats team that has won nine-straight matches.
Geelong will also be boosted by the inclusion of ruckman Jon Ceglar, who will make his Cats debut after his off-season move from Hawthorn.
The Bulldogs welcome back Caleb Daniel and Zaine Cordy but Adam Treloar was ruled out with a calf issue and coach Luke Beveridge has surprisingly axed key defender Alex Keath.
Geelong boasts one of the best forward lines in the AFL with superstars Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, along with Gary Rohan and Tyson Stengle.
(C) AAP 2022
