Geelong coach Chris Scott has revealed Joel Selwood will be rested for tonight’s important match against the Brisbane Lions under the club’s rotation policy.
Selwood was the centre of attention last weekend as he captained the Cats for the 227th time in the win against Collingwood, breaking Stephen Kernahan’s long-standing record for most AFL games captained.
But Scott said on Wednesday Selwood would sit out for the match against Brisbane, who are currently undefeated on top of the ladder.
Scott said there was no injury concern around the captain, but the club would continue to rest players throughout the season.
“It’s something that’s been earmarked over a number of weeks now,” Scott said.
“We’ve got some guys that we are going to be proactive with and they’re not going to play games even when they’re in good health.
“We want to have them at their best deep into the season and we think we’ve got a broad group of players that can all contribute, and we want to use them.
“We don’t want to get stuck with the same 22 every week.”
The decision comes a fortnight after the Cats raised eyebrows when Shaun Higgins was rested for the round two game, which Scott said was part of plan to ensure senior players weren’t all rested at the same time.
Esava Ratugolea has been named to play against Brisbane despite suffering an ankle injury last week that saw him subbed out.
However Higgins is out of the team due to concussion protocols, with Mark O’Connor and last week’s sub, Luke Dahlhaus, the inclusions.
Gryan Miers and Quinton Narkle, who has been in good VFL form to start the season, have been selected as emergencies.
The Cats confirmed there had been some setbacks in Sam Menegola and Jonathan Ceglar’s pushes to get into the best 22.
Menegola made his return from knee surgery in the VFL last week, but picked up a minor head knock.
“Sam has gone into the concussion protocols,” Geelong football general manager Simon Lloyd said.
“It’s unfortunate because Sam has obviously been working for several months now on a huge training and conditioning phase.
“This is a small hiccup in his plans, but he should be available and playing before he knows it.”
New recruit Ceglar is also set for a stint on the sidelines after breaking his foot in the VFL.
“Obviously it’s very disappointing for Jon as he’s been building up a large body of work and was close to being ready to go,” Lloyd said.
“He’s had the surgery Monday afternoon in Melbourne. He’s a professional, he’ll work through his rehabilitation program.”
