Steady does it for Cat skipper

JOEL Selwood will avoid match simulation at Geelong tomorrow but says he will still put himself through a gruelling session at the Cattery.

The skipper continues to race the clock to recover from ankle surgery in time for next Friday night’s qualifying final against Richmond, and said the “daily grind” was paying off now that he was back running.

He was most pleased about no longer being housebound.

“I felt like I was in the Big Brother house at home for a little while,” he said.

“[I was] just making sure that infection stayed away [after the surgery].

“I stayed at home, got back to the footy club in the second week and from there onwards it’s sort of just been a daily grind of just making sure that I’m feeling good.”

Geelong players will be put through their paces this weekend after enjoying a few days off to recharge this week.

“I feel comfortable. The boys will have match sim on the weekend — I don’t think I’ll be part of that but I’ll be off to the side doing a fair bit of work that’s pretty similar to it,” said the captain, who on Wednesday earned his sixth AllAustralian selection.

He also said he was confident that his effort to make a swift return would not lead to any long-term damage.

Selwood, 29, injured the ankle in Round 20 and was forced to watch as Geelong sewed up second spot on the ladder.

“I’m very proud [of the team],” he said.

“Our coach has coached extremely well over the period and I sat back and felt pretty comfortable, to be honest.

“We’ve got some absolute star talent across the lines, but we had guys step up and mature as footballers, too. It’s been a really pleasing time.”