MIDFIELD coach Matthew Knights says adding an outside role to Joel Selwood’s game has been an adjustment for the Cats captain, but one that allowed him to play the ‘complete’ game against the Crows.
Selwood amassed a season-high 33 disposals against Adelaide, including a massive 20 first-half touches.
“This week with the team we selected, he probably started quarters mostly inside and then as the quarter went on, he played on the wing,” Knights said.
READ - CLARK EARNS RISING STAR NOD
“He’s been such a magnificent player, particularly in one role for most of his career. It has been an adjustment for him, but he’s been really good to coach and him and I have had really good discussions.
“His natural habitat will always be inside but he's such a good runner that it would be a shame for us not to use him as a winger and use his run on not only this ground but the bigger grounds as well.”
“He's worked hard to be really good on the inside but also to be a really strong runner which is a great mix for any midfielder.”
Selwood is working his way into season 2019 after dealing with niggling injuries throughout the first half of the year.
“He definitely has carried some niggles in different parts of his body,” Knights said.
“The last week or two, in discussions, he seems to think he's starting to feel stronger all of the time and I guess there's no more proof than the way he played on Friday evening.
“Against a really credentialled midfield with Crouch and Sloane and guys like that, he was really on top for most of the game.
“It gives you a good indication that he is feeling better and let's hope he can get stronger and stronger as the weeks go on cause he's a very vital player for us.”
Selwood’s prominence during the first half of the game, which the Cats trailed for a major part of, was not missed by Knights.
View this post on InstagramThe Skipper running hot with 20 first half touches #StandProud #WeAreGeelong
“He certainly had a really good impact on the game. The midfield group after quarter time really knuckled down and we got going a bit after lowering our colours in the first quarter,” he said.
“He was pretty prominent all through the night, with his effort and contest word and finding his teammates with good disposal.
“He played really well at ball-ups and centre bounces and boundaries but then once the ball moved he was really significant on the outside.
“At times when we looked like we were in trouble he was able to get a handball away and he use his quick feet and then more importantly, I felt his running on the night was excellent.”
