The reputation of Geelong captain Joel Selwood has been put under a microscope after two incidents in last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs.
Geelong coach Chris Scott is adamant Joel Selwood won’t be affected by the recent criticism of his reputation when the star captain Brisbane in a Thursday night AFL showdown at the Gabba.
Selwood was fined a combined $3000 by the AFL’s match review officer for two separate incidents in last week’s after-the-siren win over the Western Bulldogs.
The 33-year-old accepted a $1000 sanction for pushing his fist into Bailey Dale’s head as the Bulldogs defender was pinned on the ground in a tackle.
Selwood also copped a $2000 fine for stumbling over the leg of Taylor Duryea when the former Hawks player had fallen to the ground after taking a mark.
Criticism of Selwood’s actions came thick and fast with Collingwood legend Tony Shaw even describing them as two of the worst things a player can do on a football field.
Shaw said Selwood could have broken Duryea’s leg if the contact was made in a slightly different spot.
Dual North Melbourne premiership star David King was also scathing of Selwood’s actions.
Scott conceded Selwood made a mistake in the first incident involving Dale.
But he was angry at how the second incident – when Selwood stumbled over Duryea’s leg – had been portrayed.
“Joel is an icon of the game. His reputation is important to him and it’s important to us,” Scott said.
“Humans in general, but footy players, even good ones – captains, legends of the game – make mistakes, and they should put their hand up for that, which is what Joel did, in particular for one of those incidents.
“But the second one where he accidentally stood on someone was a genuine mistake.
“And I think it’s actually incumbent on people in the footy industry to treat Joel Selwood with a level of respect whereby when he says something, they believe him.”
Scott said the commentary hadn’t affected Selwood heading into the game against the Lions.
“He handles it like the ultimate pro, so it won’t have any bearing on him at all,” Scott said.
“But I think the broader issue over the long term, if people are saying with a straight face that it tarnishes his reputation, I think that reflects more on them than it does on him.”
The Cats were dealt a huge blow when star midfielder Mitch Duncan was ruled out for an extended period with a right knee injury.
Last week’s medical sub Shaun Higgins could come into the 22 to fill the void, but Scott said no one could truly replace Duncan.
“I’ve always been a believer that it’s impossible to replace your best players like for like, and Mitch is certainly in that category,” Scott said.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I recall a few years back viewing the occasion when John Bourke met the umpire he’d assaulted in that Army Reserve Cup match. He was genuinely ashamed & contrite about his actions. A few minutes of madness that effectively ended his footy career & near ruined his life. Couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
sven
Roar Rookie
yes & no, theres much less thug acts nowadays than yesteryear but now the players are generally bigger, faster & stronger, also the game is faster & there are far more collisions so in my view its just as hard if not actually tougher, just in a different way
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Lack of talent? My guess might just be, I don't know why, that you haven't made 6 all australian teams, won 3 premieships and played over 300 games. I don't know why I think that, though
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Poor bugger that’s a life sentence! Compare yesteryear to now is like chalk & cheese!
sven
Roar Rookie
remember bourke well, actually played vfa u/19's against him (he played for preston), the bloke was a gun in a champion team, they actually held the record for the highest score in aussie rules at the time, something like 65 goals against geelong west
The Dom is good
Roar Rookie
Hes a protected species and has been for ages just like Burgoyne from hawthorn and Scotts reaction calling for respect is beyond pathetic. Low blow acts and lack of talent doesnt deserve respect
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yatt have you heard of John Bourke in 1985 against the swans he squirrel gri..ed a player then head butted the ump a runner came out & he elbowed the poor bugger in the head then he knocked out a bloke in the stands He got 10 years & 18 matches
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Mal Brown & Leigh Mathews great but dirty players. Even Tony Lockett was a thug but brilliant!
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Smack on.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
David Rhys Jones?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
It is quite funny about Balme, he did some serious damage as a player. But I believe he has great empathy and was probably the glue in the Cats and the Tigers premierships. Leigh, tough but Thug. Budha Hocking, in his later years same. Sydney/ Carlton player, forget his name but nutter & thug.
sven
Roar Rookie
agree with the blokes u mention but dont recall cloke was a thug ? ricky mclean was another nutter, ex blues & tiges, dipper & leigh matthews were also a serial offenders, different days back then ... halls hit on staker was bad but not a king hit as i understand it
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That would be a great article Yatt the Dirty Thugs of the last 30 years!
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
No there were some serious thugs, Liba and as just annoying. Baker, punching the broken hands. Hall, the names enough, the king hit is embedded. Robert Muir. I am not sure I could have played against him without an armed guard. Neil Balme, Cloke et al.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
He has been impressive. Not bad for a pensioner.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Well despite the controversy I'm happy nonetheless with his season thus far. Thought he was done for good at the end of last season but he seems to have been given a new lease of life this season and we cats fans are reaping the rewards
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Alright, like a sucker, I will step up to the plate. They have gone through every little frame to pick on young Selly. Both acts where nothing. He has gone through over 300 games of being given the rough treatment. Bloodied almost every game. He is probably pretty sick if it. Just giving some he copped back. Try going through every frame of the guys he returned it too. And the high tackles on him are a joke. They rip his head off, no free but he just keeps powering on. He is a superstar of the game and he will propel the Cats to a flag.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It’s true Plus he is a decorated footballer for the bulldogs & a Brownlow medallist and played within the rules regardless of what others may think!