Geelong’s skipper and 2013 Carji Greeves Medallist, Joel Selwood, describes October as one of the toughest months in the AFL year.

With seven years of playing experience and 160 games under his belt, Selwood says he now understands just how callous the industry can be and why such harsh decisions need to be made at the end of each season.

“The longer you spend in the AFL system, the more you familiarize yourself with the 'ins-and-outs' of the overall industry; well I would like to think that is the case anyway,” Selwood says on his blog at www.joelselwood.com.au.

“October has become a busier month in the calendar for AFL Players, Player Agents and Football Clubs. It has become a period of time where really all players are on the market, with Clubs attempting to continually improve the profile of their playing list, not only for the now but in years to come.”

After watching many veterans loose their positions over the years, Selwood admits that it doesn’t get any easier when it’s time to say goodbye to those you admired and looked up to for so many years.

“As a Captain, it's a period in the AFL calendar that I don't like.”   

“I look at it in a way where we have been trying all year to get the team to play the best possible football together, then all of a sudden we lose a number of players that have been giving everything.

“This year at Geelong we lose some greats of our Club; Joel Corey, Paul Chapman, Josh Hunt and James Podsiadly. Between them they share:
- 808 Games
- 9 Premierships
- 6 Pre-Season Premierships
- 3 All-Australian selections
- 3 'Carji Greeves' Medals
- 1 Norm Smith Medal
- 1 Leading Goal Kicker Award
- 3 Geelong Football Club Life Memberships
- 1 VFL Life Membership

Selwood couldn’t speak more highly of the four players that had sadly used up their hours, minutes and seconds at the club, which came to a sudden end to make room for Geelong’s younger players.

“On game day they were just what you wanted in a teammate; tough and ruthless competitors, that were skilful, humble and loved to win. Pre-match in the rooms, I loved to look around and see these guys before taking the field as I walked taller in their presence.”

“Off field they where quality, classy, respectful guys who cared about the team more than themselves. They were great mentors to myself and the rest of the playing group on how to become more of a complete player and person.”

Selwood concedes that change is a reality in today’s game when it comes to building and sustaining a club’s future.

According to Selwood that’s the hard side to football, as decisions need to be made to benefit the team and the club more than the individual.

“Positions on AFL playing lists are so competitive these days and if a List Manager is not forward planning then their side will get left behind quickly. This ultimately means there will be tough calls made that not everyone will like and agree with.”

“A great chapter has closed with the four finishing up, however they have left an incredible legacy at the Geelong Football Club that will be remembered and appreciated for a long time to come; much like all the great players that have left our great Club in recent years.

“Good on you boys!”