Geelong Cats captaincy: Club yet to choose leader in pre-season
Geelong is yet to announce Joel Selwood’s replacement as captain, with a number of senior Cats expected to be in the running.
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GEELONG is yet to settle on the club’s next captain, and Norm Smith Medalist Isaac Smith says he has “no idea” on who will be chosen to replace the retired Joel Selwood.
After captaining the Cats for a record-breaking 11 seasons, Selwood retired from the AFL and left the position open for the first time since Cameron Ling retired in 2011.
While superstar Cats Tom Stewart and Pat Dangerfield are expected to be the main contenders for the position, Smith said he was not sure how the club was leaning.
“I have absolutely no idea what the club’s thinking and where they’re heading, but I think with the age profile of this group both (an older or a younger captain) would work,” he said.
“We’re so fortunate that we have so many older guys that whoever steps into that role, they’re going to have a hell of a lot of support and it probably helps that we’re quite a successful team at the moment.
“Hopefully we’re winning games and it lessens the burden on whoever gets the role.”
The Cats enter the 2023 season as favourites to win back-to-back premierships, which would be the first time the club has achieved that under coach Chris Scott.
Smith, who won three premierships in a row at Hawthorn, said he had not passed on any advice to his teammates about coping with trying to repeat flag success in consecutive seasons.
“We have general conversations everyday (about chasing the next premiership), who knows how this year will play out,” he said.
“Teams certainly have bolstered their lists, Richmond and Brisbane probably come to mind.
“As every year we’ll be going out to try to do our best and see what happens.
“Maybe outside these walls wouldn’t quite understand, but when you win it, it only takes about two or three weeks and you’ve already moved onto the next season.”
Originally published as Geelong Cats captaincy: Club yet to choose leader in pre-season
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