Geelong captain Joel Selwood racing clock to be fit for season opener against GWS Giants
Joel Selwood is no guarantee to lead Geelong in its AFL season opener against GWS Giants as the Cats skipper continues his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Geelong
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Inspirational Geelong captain Joel Selwood will attempt to recover from hamstring surgery in time to play in Round 1.
The champion midfielder is touch-and-go to be available for the season-opener against Greater Western Sydney in six weeks’ time after a post-season procedure to fix a nagging tendinitis problem.
He will remain on a modified program on Thursday when Geelong and Collingwood lock horns in some match simulation and competitive training drills in a closed session at GMHBA Stadium.
If Selwood can successfully ramp up his training loads over the next few weeks, the Cats’ tough nut will be in the frame to play Essendon in the club’s second Marsh Series Community game in Colac on Monday, March 9.
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While the club has vowed to be cautious with the skipper’s recovery, Selwood’s recuperative powers are extraordinary, having played in at least 20 games in each of his 13 AFL seasons.
The 31-year-old said he wanted to be ready to go early in the new season after managing the hamstring issue for the bulk of last season.
“I had a hamstring that hung around for the year last year and generally it was the tendinitis stuff that you would love to get on top of,” Selwood said.
“But it needs a bit of time and it needed a bit of hands-on work too from the surgeon to put it back together.
“I’m feeling good now and I’ll join in with the boys over the next couple of weeks and be ready for that start of the season.”
New recruit Jack Steven is also slated to play a key forward-midfield role after suffering a minor calf injury at training last month.
Defender Tom Stewart (groin), star wingman Mitch Duncan (hip/knee), mobile backman Jake Kolodjashnij (hip) and speedster Mark O’Connor (toe) are also working their way back from injuries.
Selwood played out on the wing throughout large parts of last season as he managed the hamstring issue, but is eyeing more time back in the engine room after the loss of superstar onballer Tim Kelly to West Coast.
The Cats are set to face Kelly for the first time in Round 3 at Optus Stadium.
“I will probably be a little bit back more inside (midfield) this year,” Selwood said on Triple M.
“In saying that, we have to bring the kids through that we put through last year, without Tim being in there.
“We brought Jack Steven in and he’s doing a great job at the moment, he’s had a little hiccup in his calf at the start of this year, but other than that he’s been great for our group.
“So for me, a little bit more inside, but then play on that wing a little bit, too.”