GEELONG coach Chris Scott says there was nothing untoward in the Cats' decision to spring a series of late changes on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

There was mass confusion ahead of the game on Sunday with Geelong naming skipper Joel Selwood, who was originally listed as an emergency, to replace Sam Menegola (knee) in the team when the team sheets were handed in 90 minutes prior to the match.

Just 30 minutes later Selwood was withdrawn after not feeling quite 'right' and youngster Charlie Constable was named as a late inclusion into the side.

Scott did his best to explain the situation to reporters after the match, given the Cats' recent reputation for making late changes to their side, albeit within the rules.

"Joel was close to playing last week but he had a couple of issues, but one in particular where there was too much doubt and too much risk of further injury that we weren't prepared to take," Scott said.

"But it was minor, and he did recover from that issue, but another one popped up during the week and we thought that might be enough to keep him out, but he recovered really quickly after we picked the team on Friday.

"He moved really well on Saturday (at training) but at the game today he just felt that he wasn't right.

"To simplify, if your captain has had a lack of continuity at training,  doesn't feel that he's quite right, there's no way that I'm going to allow anyone to talk him into (playing)."

Scott said Selwood had an "upper leg" issue against Essendon and a "lower leg" complaint that kept him out against the Roos, although he should be available to face the Western Bulldogs next Saturday.

The Cats also thought Menegola would be right to play until he was a late withdrawal and that Patrick Dangerfield would not get up in time to play after a lack of training during the week.

"It was a stressful day," Scott said.

Scott said the system of naming a final 22 on Friday for a Sunday game needed to be looked at given the doubts around team selection.

"I do understand that there are integrity issues and there is a big cohort of football followers out there who want that information early because they either want to bet, or (have) Fantasy teams, and I understand why we have to do it," Scott said.

"But we don't muck around with it. We try to be as transparent as possible. Even today when Joel Selwood was ruled out, the first call we made was from our GM of footy (Simon Lloyd) to North Melbourne's GM of footy (Cameron Joyce) to let him know that Joel was out, and our next one was to the AFL.

"As long as the right people have full transparency then I guess I'm OK with it."

Scott said speedy forward Gary Rohan would be monitored during the week after he was concussed in an incident involving Roo Sam Durdin that may be looked at by the Match Review Officer.

Tom Atkins also had a sore hip throughout the game that needed management, with the young forward/midfielder spending plenty of time off the ground.

Tom Stewart was also assessed for concussion in the third term, but he was cleared to play out the game.