GEELONG'S list demographic will ensure no senior Cat has to play every match this year, according to captain Joel Selwood.
Selwood, 32, was rested for a month during the Cats' run to the 2020 Grand Final and is expecting further breaks in 2021 as the season reverts to full-length game time across 22 matches.
It was a policy the Cats relied on more last year after admitting they failed to rest Selwood and retired champion Gary Ablett enough in 2019.
Latest Videos
-
02:48InterviewInterview
Inside Pre-Season | Nigel Lappin
Nigel Lappin gives us an inside look into Geelong's pre-season, as they prepare to 2026 AFL Premiership Season. Proudly Presented by Deakin University
AFL
Preseason -
05:03FeatureFeature
At Home Or Far Away | Mark O'Connor's Fairytale Final
Relive the intimate moments behind Mark O'Connor and Dingle’s maiden All-Ireland Final victory, where mateship, connection, and community shone as fellow Cats travelled from far and wide to support one of our own from Geelong.
-
05:04Press ConferencePress Conference
Mark O'Connor Press Conference | All-Ireland Final Victory
Mark O'Connor spoke to the media after his return from Ireland where he helped his hometown team Dingle secure their maiden All-Ireland Final win! Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.
AFL
Preseason -
-
07:37InterviewInterview
Andrew Mackie Interview | Pre-Season Update
Hear from Andrew Mackie in this update on pre-season training ahead of State Of Origin and Opening Round.
AFL
Preseason -
01:27FeatureFeature
Inside Pre-Season | Jhye Clark
Jhye Clark takes us inside his pre-season training. Presented by Deakin
AFL
Preseason -
04:32PodcastPodcast
Locker Buddies Episode 4 | Shannon Neale & Ollie Dempsey
With Opening Round around the corner, it's time to put our AFL players under the microscope and hit them with the tough questions! Shannon Neale and Ollie Dempsey kick the year off with another episode of Locker Buddies thanks to Simonds Homes.
AFL
podcasts -
08:26Press ConferencePress Conference
Tom Atkins Press Conference | Pre-Season
Tom Atkins spoke to the media as Geelong prepare for the final block of training before the 2026 AFL Season begins. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.
AFL
Preseason -
01:14CommunityCommunity
2025 Community Wrap
Community Camps, Clinics, Colour your Clubs, Community Bays, Next Gen Academy, Wishes, BioCats, TRP. Take a look back at our year in the community.
AFL
Community -
03:03InterviewInterview
Nicola Stevens Interview | First Day at the Cattery
Nicola Stevens spoke with Cats Media on her first day at the club. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.
AFLWaflw -
-
01:39InterviewInterview
Glynn Harvey Interview | Carter-Costa Award Winner
Glynn Harvey spoke to Cats Media after he received the Carter-Costa Award at Geelong's 2025 AGM.
AFL
Awards -
03:59InterviewInterview
Les Tyack Interview | Life Membership Induction
Les Tyack spoke to Cats Media after his induction as a Life Member at the Geelong Cats.
AFL
Awards -
03:48InterviewInterview
Renee Morgan Interview | First Day at the Cattery
Renee Morgan spoke with Cats Media on her first day at the club. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.
AFLWdraft -
02:53InterviewInterview
2025 Draft Wrap | Dom Condo
Head of AFLW Dom Condo spoke with Cats Media after the 2025 AFLW Draft. Proudly Presented by Ford and Deakin University.
AFLWdraft -
06:02FeatureFeature
Access The Draft | AFLW Feature
Go behind the scenes of Geelong's 2025 AFLW Draft as the Cats select 3 new players to join the Hoops. Proudly Presented by Ford & Deakin University.
AFLWdraft -
01:01FeatureFeature
Evie Cowcher & Priya Bowering Mic'd Up | AFLW Draft
We put a microphone on our newest draftees during draft night. Presented by Ford and Deakin.
AFLWdraft -
01:24HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Renee Morgan
Cats Select Renee Morgan with Pick 43 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.
AFLWdraft -
01:15HighlightsHighlights
Welcome, Priya Bowering
Cats Select Priya Bowering with Pick 27 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.
AFLWdraft -
01:19
Welcome, Evie Cowcher
The Cats select Evie Cowcher with Pick 11 in the AFLW Draft. Take a look at some of her highlights.
AFLWaflw
Chris Scott's side will begin the campaign with 14 players aged 29 or older, forcing decisions to be made around periods of load management.
"With the season finishing so late and starting again, I'd be surprised if anyone played the full season at all," Selwood said.
"Our guys are going to put some plans together and we'll work out that closer to the date … (we'll) just make sure we manage people correctly.
"We've put a list demographic together right now that we don't think any player should have to play all 22 (games). We'll just see how that plays out … we've got a lot of guys we want to get games into, too."
Forward Luke Dahlhaus is racing the clock to be fit for round one, while the Cats are optimistic Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Patrick Dangerfield (groin) will be ready to tackle Adelaide in the March 20 season-opener.
But after spending much of last pre-season sidelined with a hamstring injury, Selwood has enjoyed a full-scale build-up ahead of a year that may require him to play in part on a wing, half-forward or half-back.
The Cats will continue their recent history by not reviewing the final match of the previous season over summer, instead putting their energy into keeping their premiership window open.
"We'll just show up again and we'll hopefully get on a run like we did last year, build some huge confidence in the group and be there to play-off when we need to," Selwood said.
"We want to win it every year, we're not scared in saying that."
Selwood was on hand as the Cats announced they had extended their sponsorship deal with Ford for a 100th year to 2025, continuing the longest known sporting partnership in the world.