Joel Selwood says Geelong Cats have what it takes to win this weekend — and take the flag

Geelong premiership player Joel Selwood says the Cats have the cheat code to win this weekend, and take home the flag, for this simple reason.

Geelong premiership player Joel Selwood knows the Cats have what it takes to win this weekend — and take home the flag. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong legend Joel Selwood says the secret to the Cats’ continued success as they stand one win away from another AFL Grand Final is simple — they invest in good people.

Geelong will square off with Brisbane in their 13th preliminary final in 18 years on Saturday, after making 18 of the past 21 finals series.

While there was no single cheat code for Geelong’s incredible modern era, the man who helped build Cats culture in a Kardinia Park career that yielded four premierships said what happened off the field was almost as important as on it for the club he loved.

“There are many, many things but at the end of the day it’s the people to be honest,’’ he said. “The people you bring in the door or recruit in different ways ... allowing people to be themselves.

“It’s a special place and when you walk in you feel welcome straight away and I think that is very important in footy clubs.’’

Selwood, who will call Saturday’s do-or-die prelim for Network Seven, said the Cats had done everything required to give themselves a good shot at the title this year.

Despite many so called experts predicting their premiership window was over after Selwood captained the Cats’ to a barnstorming grand final against Sydney in 2022, the three-time Geelong best and fairest said it was wide open.

“If you’re looking for points on what makes Geelong so good, well they just reset every year and give themselves a chance to win it,’’ he said.

“That is what they have done this year and they’ve given themselves a shot.’’

And while Mad Monday celebrations after his final flag with the Cats centred on a tongue-in-cheek Dad’s Army theme, Selwood said this year’s team had the perfect mix of experience and youth.

“It can move quickly but the cats always take a deep breath at the end of each season and let not just the players but the staff to recharge and make the changes they need to go for another year,’’ he said.

“There is no surprise that they up and having another go at it.’’

Originally published as Joel Selwood says Geelong Cats have what it takes to win this weekend — and take the flag