After failing to have his three-game suspension reduced to two, Joel Selwood will spend the next four weeks on the sidelines for a much-deserved rest, much to the dismay of the competition.
Yet to drop a game in his coaching career, Chris Scott now holds the record for most wins in a row for a debutant senior coach and Selwood has played a major role in the winning streak.
Losing a star player for a lengthy period commonly derails teams, especially when that player is as high of a calibre as Selwood. But as the luck at Geelong continues, it is the rest of the competition who should be worried about Selwood’s mid-season break.
What differs Selwood’s lay-off from that of Aaron Sandilands or Jobe Watson is that he has been suspended, not injured.
A proven leader at the club, Selwood will continue to train with the team and undoubtedly make up for missed match fitness in the gym.
Most pundits have Geelong finishing in the top two this season and with the capitulation of Hawthorn’s healthy playing-list, this has only been reinforced.
Selwood is literally having a mid-season break and getting his body right for a strong tilt at a third premiership in five years.
Gifted with the luxury of being able to rest key players, courtesy of the substitute rule and lack of injuries at Kardinia Park, Selwood will be returning in round 17 with games against Brisbane, Richmond, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide before a bye in round 22.
None of the aforementioned teams are top eight teams, which illustrates the fairly easy run into finals which Geelong looks to have once again, lucked out with.
Selwood will be given the luxury to ease his way back into AFL football on his way to finals.
Having set the tone early in the season, to see his team at the top of the ladder undefeated, we cannot blame him for enjoying a mid-week beer.
Entering his fifth season, Selwood has played more football since being drafted than anyone else in his draft class. Now in his fifth season, Selwood has missed only five games since being drafted!
In comparison, Scott Gumbleton has played 22, Lachlan Hanson played 60 and Mitch Thorp played 2 before being delisted. All were drafted before Selwood at pick seven.
After seeing the carnage Selwood has wreaked on finals series after playing entire seasons, it is scary to think that only now is his body entering maturity.
Selwood, being granted a mid-season rest, unforced by injury may be exactly what Geelong need, to surpass Collingwood.
Various media outlets have been quick to debate whether or not this suspension has cost Selwood a Brownlow medal. Of the previous four years, I cannot think of a better time for Selwood to be rubbed out.
Chris Judd is playing better football than he did in his medal-winning years and the previous few have been overshadowed by Ablett stealing votes off him.
For those who believe in karma, if Selwood has been ruining the game by repeatedly ducking his head and drawing free kicks, no better time exists for his fortunes to turn around.
Losing a star ball-winner for four weeks is unfortunate but is far from the end of the world. Geelong will finish in the top four, Selwood was not a serious Brownlow contender and he will return fresher than the rest of the competition to give Geelong an edge leading into the finals.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Please correct me if I'm wrong Sean, but a friend of mine (studying medicine at Uni at the moment) told me it is possible to rupture an ear drum from sneezing. It was a pretty cold night on Saturday.....
BW
Guest
Makes me wonder how Campbell Brown's elbow to the head of that Doggie with crystal clear footage got classed as "reckless" while this was intentional. Mind, cant say I am surprised... if nothing else the Tribunal is consistent with its inconsistencies. Anyway, moving on...
Sean
Guest
Gleeson continued: "For a player to suffer hearing loss from a pushing or pulling motion is inconsistent. Actually this statement is medically incorrect. An open-handed push to the ear could cause enough change of pressure within the ear canal to lead to a perforated eardrum. But then I am only someone who has been involved in the education of over 4000 physcians, not a lawyer. The tribunal has determined the severity of the incident with incorrect medical advice.
Al
Guest
This is why I can't take this sport seriously anymore, four weeks for what looked like running into someone accidentally.
Redb
Roar Guru
and awarded him 3 votes. C. Judd 3 votes.
heartbeat
Guest
If his name was Chris Judd, the MRP would have thrown the case out based on inconclusive evidence.
DMete
Guest
Resting him up just before he once again, goes missing in finals
Alfred Chan
Expert
I'm disappointed Selwood did it in the first place, but it makes no sense to me how he has essentially been suspended based on the evidence from the Hawthorn medical team. In this case, it would have made sense for an AFL medical team to diagnose Guerra also. Being so far off the ball was never gonna play into Selwood's favour but Guerra had to have said something to provoke such a strong reaction. Selwood of course would never reveal what he said and Guerra would not claim how hard Selwood hit him. This is how the game should be played. Absolutely identical to Trengove's sling tackle. Dangerfield was allegedly concussed, didn't come back on but managed to kick 6 the following week. I suspect Guerra will also play this week. His form has been too good for the Hawks too rest him to prove a point to the Geelong/defend their medical staff.
Redb
Roar Guru
Based on the lack of decent footage of the incident, Selwood has far more reason to appeal than Thomas (which was dumb & blatant). However, given the damage to Guerra and the distant off the ball whack I'd suggest Geelong cop it and move on.
Football Fan
Guest
Reports last night said he was ok. But I've been lied to before about team selection... Damn mainstream media! ;)
Redb
Roar Guru
I didnt think Guerra was playing against the Suns this week.
Football Fan
Guest
Agree Redb. Why aren't more elite players whacking blokes to get a spell before the finals? Good to see though that Guerra has recovered from his 'perforated eardrum' in time to board a plane to tassie (ash permitting)
maf1970
Guest
Yeah I agree Redb - he may have been substituted early in a game or missed one with that "general soreness" injury that players seem to pick up but I'm fairly sure Scotty wouldn't have wanted him out for 4. As for risking a 4th week - and I am a Cat fan - I'm still not convinced Geelong won't appeal the decision again and try to get it back to two. The MRP seem to very sure of themselves in regard to what happened and a lot of that suredness seems to be coming from a medical report - the 20 minute deliberation before upholding the decision last night was one of the longest deliberations for sometime so it might seem there is some doubt and Geelong might "test" that doubt. I must say though - why did he do it in the first place...................similar to the Thomas incident last week - why? 2 players that were seemingly honest ball players & both "cleanskins" both suspended for whacking blokes - maybe the AFL and or the MRP needs to have a closer look at what happened in the leadup to these incidenets. (I'm not suggesting he should be exonerated if it was found he was provoked but 2 in 2 weeks............)
Redb
Roar Guru
Nice spin, I assume your a Cats fan. I suggest you ask Chris Scott whether he preferred Selwood plays or not over the next 4 weeks. Geelong were stupid to risk a 4th week.