GEELONG captain Joel Selwood has heaped praise on key Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, believing the goalkicker can become one of the game's best players.
Speaking at the AFL’s captains’ day at Etihad Stadium, Selwood said Hogan was the one to watch for the Demons in 2018.
“I think Jesse Hogan is not only a Melbourne favourite, but a footy fan’s favourite,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“What he could turn into is the unknown. He could be up there with your Fyfes, Dangerfields and Martins – in those lights.
“He’ll be one we’ll have to stop early [in round one].”
Looking ahead to the opening round of the season, where Melbourne will host Geelong at the MCG on Sunday, March 25, Selwood said, like the Demons, the Cats were “ready to go”.
“We’ve been in a little bit of a holding pattern … as pre-seasons go for a long time. Round one – we’re looking forward to it,” he said.
“You guys (Melbourne) played really well throughout the JLT [Community] Series and we’ve been watching on.
“We’ll look forward to being ready, like you guys will.”
Although Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney has been ruled out with a foot injury, and Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield is in doubt with a hamstring issue, it now appears the legendary Gary Ablett will make his comeback for the Cats against the Demons, after he too had a hamstring problem.
And although there could be some serious talent missing from both midfields, Selwood added that the Cats and Demons also had the depth to cover their injuries.
“We think we’ll have a strong midfield ready to go – whoever it be out there – and you guys would think the same,” he said.
“You take Jack [Viney] out, but you’ll replace him with another quality midfielder, so having Brendan McCartney coach me for a long time – I know you guys will have something in the bank.”
Selwood said with a smile that he would avoid talking shop with the ‘Geelong crew’, including McCartney before round one.
“I might crash into him (Brendan McCartney) at Barwon Heads at some stage, but to be honest it’s more of a friendly chat rather than finding out where each other is at,” he said.
“You can definitely see the game style these guys (Melbourne) are coaching.
“The way that they played and coached – Shan [Byrnes], Matty Egan, Maxy Rooke and Brendan – you’ve got a lot of good people there that I enjoyed going to work with for a long time.”
And although they have had some intense battles on the field, Selwood spoke highly of Viney.
“I’ve played on him a couple of times and he’s got to a place now, as captain of the footy club, at such a young age – you can see why he is [captain] and people would follow him,” he said.
“He’s a quality young man and Melbourne is lucky to have him.”
