Scooter locks in pressure

Parfitt and Tim Kelly created the most turnovers against Fremantle, Scott managed 33.1 forward half pressure points.

That return was the third best of any Cat with only Dangerfield (35.5) and Kelly (33.8) having more.

Mitch Duncan (32.4), Ablett (32.2) and Parfitt (30.6) also played crucial roles.

Interestingly, maligned Cat Jordan Murdoch also had 30.4 forward half pressure points, just above the elite ranking average of 30.

The Cats have won 10 of 12 matches when the ball has spent more time in their forward half than their opposition’s.

They have only managed to win one of nine when it has been reversed.

And that is where Selwood fits in perfectly.

His presence in Geelong’s forward line builds pressure and the numbers show when Geelong’s pressure game is up it wins games of football.

It is why Scott was quick to note in his press conference post the Fremantle win that Selwood’s move forward was a proactive one and not a reactive one.

“He played a little bit more ahead of the ball and we thought he played well,” the coach said.

“That’s something we have been thinking about for a little while. We like his flexibility.

“In some ways we would have liked to have played him in that position a bit earlier in the year. It’s nice he delivered today, and it’s also nice for the future that we have got some confidence he can do it having seen it.”

Scott may not be able to clone Selwood, but we can be certain the gun midfielder will be spending more time forward come finals.