Geelong veteran Joel Selwood has hit back at critics questioning his position as captain of the club, with the hard-nosed midfielder set to break an all-time record in the early stages of next season.
2022 will be Selwood's 16th campaign in the hoops, having made his debut in 2007 and featuring in Geelong's string of successes now over a decade ago.
The Cats have since endured a flag-less run despite a stunning record of finishing in the top-eight, having missed out on the September action just once in the past 15 years.
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2021 saw the Cats fall to eventual premiers Melbourne to the tune of 83 points in a preliminary final, with Geelong's list questioned in the wake of their finals exit.
The Cats entered this season as the oldest list in the competition with an average age of 25.4, and their squad for next season is set to see 14 players 30 or over feature in Chris Scott's side.
With questions continuing to be raised on Geelong's future premiership credentials and Selwood's position at the club, the 33-year-old has looked to reassure fans he isn't thinking of calling time on his career just yet.
"I probably should go into that thinking at some stage," the Cats skipper told 7 News.ย
"We're not getting any younger.
"We still think we've got a really strong list together at the moment, we'd like to keep going for it, get there and lift that cup up again."
Selwood added that he isn't listening to the external noise suggesting he should hand over the proverbial captain's armband, stating now is not the right time.
"Understanding the club and being there for a long time, [I] probably know where the club is at more than people on the outside that have their opinions too," Selwood said.
Joel Selwood insists Geelong's ageing list isn't going anywhere as the Cats prepare to double down in their search for a premiership. Selwood has also declared he wants to hold on to the captaincy and hit back at those suggesting it's time he stepped down. @cleary_mitch #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/qbchBQMQwU
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) October 22, 2021
"There will be a time, not sure it's now."
The six-time All-Australian is three matches away from passing Carlton great Stephen Kernahan as the most capped captain in V/AFL history, with Selwood currently placed on 224 games in captaining the Cats.
Selwood broke the club's all-time games record this year, moving past former teammate Corey Enright to sit atop the mantle of appearances with the Kardinia Park club.
The triple Carji Greeves medallist has played 334 games for Geelong, polling 210 Brownlow votes to sit equal seventh on the leading list alongside former Blues and Eagles star Chris Judd.
