Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says Geelong coach Chris Scott needs to consider making “hard calls” on his veteran players, including club captain Joel Selwood.
Selwood has been ever-present in Geelong’s side since making his debut in 2007, with his career synonymous with an extended period of success at the club.
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While the six-time All-Australian enjoyed a relatively clean bill of health this season, playing 24 games, he struggled in the Cats’ finals campaign, and was held below 20 disposals in two of the Cats’ three finals matches.
After Geelong’s 83-point belting at the hands of Melbourne in Friday’s preliminary final, Lloyd said Scott needed to figure out what to do with the 334-gamer.
“I think the question has come for [Scott] now: What do you do with Joel Selwood? Can Joel keep going?” Lloyd asked on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“What does he do with Joel, because Joel was shown by [Christian] Petracca and [Clayton] Oliver that he can’t cut it against those guys anymore.
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“He has to make some really strong decisions. Luke Dahlhaus, do I play him again? Lachie Henderson, do I play him again? He’s got to make some hard calls now.”
Selwood is contracted through to the end of next season, and Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes suggested that 2022 was likely to be the captain’s final year.
“Maybe Joel Selwood has earned the right to play again,” Cornes told Footy Classified.
“He’s in a similar boat to [Richmond captain] Trent Cotchin, but his role needs to be reduced.
“He can’t play another position, so that’s the hard part, it’s not like [Scott] Pendlebury who can go to halfback.
“Maybe you keep him fresh and he plays 12 games next year. You get him right if they’re qualifying for finals, but next year shapes as his last and I hope it’s an amazing celebration for him because of the career that he’s had and the leader that he’s been.”