Geelong captain Joel Selwood says he will take time to decide whether he continues next season, but teammates are urging him to stay.
Selwood, 34, became a premiership captain when his Cats surged to an 81-point win over a listless Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday.
Already a three-time premiership star entering the contest, Selwood was instrumental in the win, recording 12 touches in the first term, and 26 overall, as the Cats completed their 16th consecutive win this season in an emphatic manner.
Cats premiership captain Joel Selwood.Credit:Scott Barbour
Selwood’s future has been a point of debate, but he reinforced on Saturday that he still has much to give.
“I have always been [one to live] in the moment. I have always had that mindset – rest at the end,” he said, as celebrations kicked off in the Cats dressingroom.
“I just haven’t thought about too much of that just yet.”
Selwood and wife Brit, after years of fertility struggles, are expecting their first child, which could also impact on Selwood’s decision.
“We got lucky and we can’t wait for that, late Feb. So, it’s going to be so special,” Selwood said of the birth.
Patrick Dangerfield wants skipper Joel Selwood to play on, the pair enjoying Saturday’s premiership against Sydney.Credit:Eddie Jim
Having just completed his 16th season, Selwood also broke Hawthorn great Michael Tuck’s record (40) for most finals. He also now has 22 finals wins. Incredibly, that’s the same amount as St Kilda.
All this in a season when he also broke Stephen Kernahan’s league record for most games as captain.
Teammates Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron said they hoped Selwood played on.
“I do, but I would have him playing when he is 50 and can’t move,” Dangerfield said.
The 355-game veteran, along with Dangerfield, were managed through the season. This meant being told to take games off, while Selwood began several games on the bench, including the grand final. The meticulously structured plan by the Cats’ fitness staff proved crucial in a season when the team finished on top of the ladder by two games.
“From the outset, I knew it was going to be different. I didn’t like round four when I got told (to take the game off) but the other ones, I was ready to be honest,” Selwood said.
He revealed he had battled through a quad injury, which made the added rest welcome.
“[Games off] were a lot after milestone games – there was a small quad in there, there was a small little crack in the back for a little bit,” he said.
“I feel a million bucks to be honest. I said it during the week, if this season had to go another four weeks, I would be okay.”
Selwood praised the club’s management for their ability to keep the club in premiership contention for much of the past decade since their 2011 flag.
“It probably dates back [to 2016] when we brought Patty in with a number of others. From there, it was just: ‘Get to work’,” Dangerfield said.
“We just didn’t get to the end of the season in good enough health, at times. We got told we were using excuses, but the boys have just come back pre-season after pre-season with drive and would work hard. We didn’t want to waste sessions. It’s so good to get one.”
There was a fitting moment in the final term when his off-balance banana kick sailed through for a goal, sending his teammates – and supporters – into rapture.
“To be honest, I am not going to give any of the boys credit – I have been practising that one for years,” Selwood said in jest.
