Cats skipper Joel Selwood has backed Harry Taylor to fire up forward this season.

Speaking on SEN's Hungry For Sport program on Monday morning, Selwood was very upbeat about Taylor's prospects.

"It gives him something else to look forward to within his career," Selwood said.

"What we found last year was that we got the ball in there (inside 50), but did we make the most of it once we got it in there?

"Having another strong marking target will definitely help, we think.

"But even just another leader, to set them up.

"Tom [Hawkins has] been down there for a while – probably a bit of a lone soldier – trying to structure up the boys really well as well as trying to play good footy himself.

"It can become a bit of burden, so I think we’ll see the best out of both of them."