PLUS INSIDE: SELWOOD BACKS YOUNG CATS
GEELONG captain Joel Selwood says he does not believe his younger teammates will be overawed by the occasion on Friday night, with several players in line for their first taste of AFL finals football.
Esava Ratugolea, Gryan Miers, Tom Atkins and Quinton Narkle headline the list of potential first-timers to experience September action for the Cats, a stark contrast to their skipper, who will play final number 28 against the Magpies, equalling former teammate Jimmy Bartel’s club record for most finals played.
Selwood, who won a premiership in his first season back in 2007, said Geelong’s youthful contingent had held their own throughout the year, and he is expecting the same thing when they run out on to the MCG this week.
“We didn’t shy away from it earlier in the year … we put them out there and we said ‘let’s go’ and they were up for it and dragged us along as much as our older guys,” Selwood said.
“So I am really proud of what the team has done to get to this stage right now, but it is now the time that we go again.
“We have had those (discussions about what to expect) but we have those weekly.
“That is nothing new at this football club. We honour that people have moments in games that might change it or make a difference and we bring that up on a regular basis. So that is nothing new to our guys hearing any of that.”
The 31-year-old is unsure whether he will have any close attention from Collingwood run-with player Levi Greenwood on Friday, with the Cats now sharing a greater load through the midfield than in previous seasons.
Part of the reason for that has been the Geelong captain’s move to a wing in 2019, and he had enjoyed the different perspective the new role had given him during the year.
“I would like to have played better at stages, but I have played a role and enjoyed learning a different side of football in what I’ve done,” he said.
“For a number of years, I saddled up and did the same thing for a number of times.
“But for me it was always what was best for the side so I can understand that, I can work with it and make sure that I can finish this year as best as I possibly can … but the year is not over so I will just play it for what it is.”