Geelong captain Joel Selwood is under no illusions that the Cats quest for their next premiership will not fall at one or two sets of feet.

Whilst the Cats acquisition of Gary Ablett has fans buzzing, Selwood says some of the Cats developing youngsters will need to take the next step for the Cats to improve.

Two, in particular, Ryan Gardner and Timm House, may have their eyes set on the recently vacated roles that Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie help for over a decade.

"They'll obviously have to work for their position through the pre-season, but that's what happens with Andrew and Tom both leaving the footy club, various positions open for someone to take," Selwood told the Geelong Advertiser.

"We look forward to guys striving to take those positions out."

With the two most recent premiers, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, achieving their success on the back of development of their younger players, Selwood saw similar opportunities for the Cats list.

"We're just a couple of steps behind where we need to be. They understand there's a little bit of growing there, that they need to do and as a group that will help hugely."

The captain, who missed the first International Rules test on Sunday, is confident his own pre-season regime will be on track.

"I'm back throughout December, so I've still got a little bit of time off there but this is a good lead-in."