‘BRING THE HEAT’
Selwood urges Cats to ‘bring the heat’ for Giants
GEELONG simply must “bring the heat” against Greater Western Sydney in Saturday night’s top-two decider at Simonds Stadium, star Scott Selwood believes.
The Cats have suffered from slow starts in three of their past four games, something coach Chris Scott highlighted after Saturday’s comefrom-behind 11-point win over Collingwood. And Selwood knows Geelong cannot afford to serve up a repeat performance against the Giants, who are starting to hit their straps at the right time of year.
The expansion club has suffered its own injury problems, just like the Cats, but a string of key players, including Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio, have filtered back into the team and have now got a run of games under their belts.
Selwood said Geelong did not need any extra motivation to come out firing against the Giants at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
Securing a home final and heading into September with winning form was more than enough.
“We have got to bring the heat,” Selwood said.
“We know they are going to be up for the contest.
“We almost got the job done earlier this year (when Tom Hawkins kicked a point after the siren to draw the game).
“They will probably try a few different things but it’s just two teams that are just really passionate and want to seal up that second spot.”
The importance of a home final isn’t lost on Selwood.
The Cats are pushing the AFL to potentially play the game at Simonds Stadium if they snare second spot.
It will depend on their op- ponent. If the Giants finish third then the game is a massive chance to be played in Geelong again.
However, if Richmond picks up a percentage-boosting win and the Giants fail to win on Saturday, then the Tigers and Cats would play each other. That game would be played at the MCG.
Geelong has won 16 of its past 18 clashes at Simonds Stadium.
“(A home final is) going to be pretty important to us. You try and give yourself every opportunity to win a flag and to have a home final first up definitely is an advantage,” Selwood said.
“We will try and do that and give ourselves every opportunity to do that. Fingers crossed, we can come away with it.”
The Cats see the Round 23 clash against the Giants as an early final. That’s not a negative, rather an opportunity, Selwood believes. “We’re in the top four now and we’re fighting for top two. We are not going to shy away (from the contest),” he said.
“We are really excited about the challenges and what’s going to come.
“GWS is such a great team and it means finals are probably going to come a week early, but we are looking forward to it.”