OVER TO YOU, BOYS
Skipper challenges fringe players to grab their chances
GEELONG skipper Joel Selwood has put the heat on his young teammates to take the next step this pre-season.
With Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan retired, two places inside the Cats’ best 22 have opened up for the taking.
Young key position players Ryan Gardner and Timm House, both yet to make their AFL debuts, had strong seasons in the VFL this year and would be salivating at the chance to break into the seniors.
Gardner has developed into a capable key back, while House has the capabilities to plug holes at each end.
But Selwood said both had to prove themselves this summer.
“They’ll obviously have to work for their position through the pre-season, but that’s what happens with Andrew and Tom both leaving the footy club, various positions open for someone to take,” he said.
“We look forward to guys striving to take those positions out.”
But it is not only in defence where positions are up for grabs. Selwood said the young Cats should be striving to play AFL next season.
“What we do need to do, we need them all to take the next step up because that’s what will help us get to the next level,” he said.
“We’re just a couple of steps behind where we need to be. They understand there’s a little bit of growing there, that they need to do and as a group that will help us hugely.”
With International Rules duties over the next week, Selwood will not join his Cats teammates until next month.
“I’m back throughout December, so I’ve still got a little bit of time off there but this is a good lead in,” he said.
Selwood expects to play in Saturday night’s second International Rules clash after missing Sunday’s clash — not confident he had done enough training because of the syndesmosis ankle injury he finished the season with.
He will train this week with a view to playing at Subiaco on Saturday night.