TOUGH Geelong captain Joel Selwood expects his form to improve after a quiet performance in the loss to Richmond on Friday night, just 35 days after ankle surgery.

Selwood collected 19 disposals and 11 contested possessions in the qualifying final at the MCG in his first game since injuring his left ankle against Sydney in the first week of August.

It was a remarkable recovery, but the triple best and fairest was one of several Cats well down on his usual performance, after a season when he averaged 26 disposals.

The 29-year-old admitted it was a "hard night's sleep" after the defeat and did not make any excuses for his performance.

"It (the ankle) was actually pretty good. Apart from me being just a bit rusty, the ankle itself was as expected and good on the night," Selwood told reporters at Simonds Stadium on Saturday morning.

He expected his preparation wouldn't change much from what it was leading into the Tigers clash.

"It will be similar to last week. A bit more continuity and training, which is nice," Selwood said.

Geelong will face the Sydney Swans in a Friday night semi-final at the MCG.

Chris Scott's side has lost seven of its last nine finals but Selwood pointed to last year's premiers, the Western Bulldogs, as an example of a team being able to pull off a major shock and take the competition by storm.

"It only takes one win to get back on and get this side riding a wave, as we saw the Bulldogs do last year. One big win next weekend could change (the) whole landscape of things," Selwood said.