Geelong captain Joel Selwood says Saturday’s grinding Qualifying Final win over Collingwood is going to be important as the Cats set themselves for a Preliminary Final on Friday week against either Brisbane or Melbourne.

Geelong’s average winning margin over the final three home and away rounds was 63 points, and the six point win on the weekend was the closest a team has come to the Cats since Richmond fell three points short in Round 15. 

After trailing by 12 points four minutes into the final term Saturday, Selwood said the thrilling finish will be beneficial for his side in preparing for what’s to come.

“It wasn't one of our sharpest performances,” he told K rock Football, “but the grind of going through that game is going to be really important for what's coming up.”

Selwood himself finished the game with 25 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50s and seven score involvements despite spending less time on the ground than every Geelong player outside of the injured Jake Kolodjashni and his replacement, Mark O’Connor. 

And it was Selwood, along with Tom Atkins, who were particularly important late as the Cats got the ascendancy around the contest.

Despite the week off, Selwood said he would have been happy to keep playing if required. 

“To be honest my legs feel ok but there are a few of them running up and down the wings that are probably saying they'll enjoy it a bit more.", he said. 

“But the adrenaline... it doesn't matter this time of the year, we'd get up if we needed to, we've done that in the past, but we'll take it.

“We'll get ready, we'll watch on, Brisbane versus Melbourne, and be ready for whoever is up. “