Selwood,33,has led the Cats in 215 matches,currently in fourth spot overall for most games as captain,while Carlton legend Kernahan led his club in 226 matches. The three-time premiership star will need to retain the role next season,a position he has held since replacing Cameron Ling in 2012,to take the captaincy record. But he could not guarantee that will be the case.
“It’s one thing that we will sum up when it comes. As I say,most years,we just weigh up the captaincy through the pre-season period,whether it’s me or someone else,and we will look at it from there but,for now,it’s just about finishing the year well,” Selwood said.
“We talk about what’s best for the footy club,always. Whether that’s next year or the years to come,we will just wait and see. We will do what’s best for the club. We have a number of guys that could do it. I have got no doubt in that. Whether it’s still helpful for them for me to do it and shoulder the load for a little bit,and they can just take over when needs be,I am happy to do that,too.”
Should the Cats decide it’s time for change,All-Australian half-back Tom Stewart,28,will be one of the frontrunners,while Patrick Dangerfield,31,would also be in the mix. Mark Blicavs,30,Mitch Duncan,30,Mark O’Connor,24,and Zach Tuohy,31,are also in the leadership group.
Cats football manager Simon Lloyd described Selwood as an “icon” of the club,with his durability and passion obvious to all. The only thing missing from his packed resume is being a premiership skipper,but the Cats are well placed with 12 wins so far this season to secure a top-two spot and give themselves every chance of erasinglast year’s grand final heartbreak against Richmond.