SPECTACULAR is the only word Geelong coach Chris Scott could find to describe Cats skipper Joel Selwood's 43-disposal game against St Kilda on Sunday. 

Although big games from the Cats star are common, this match-winning performance stood above many of the 232 games he has previously played.

The tally of touches equalled his personal best, matching the 43 disposals he picked up in the famous 186-point demolition of Melbourne way back in round 19, 2011. 

He ended this round five match with 21 kicks, 22 handballs, 22 contested possessions, nine clearances and a goal.

WATCH: Selwood's sensational second-half demolition

Making the performance even more meritorious was the fact Selwood had to fight for every touch with the game evenly poised until the final 10 minutes and the opposition midfield throwing everything at him.

He picked up 30 disposals in the second half to help the Cats overrun St Kilda, his stoicism silencing the Saints' supporters he so outraged in the first quarter when he picked up four head-high free kicks. 

"His game today was spectacular, especially when we were being outplayed," Scott said.

"He was one, more than any other on the ground, who took the game away from the opposition."

WATCH: Chris Scott's full post-match media conference

Scott agreed that the level of support for Selwood in 2017 was deeper than it had been in the past two seasons, even allowing for the brilliance if his sidekick Patrick Dangerfield. 

Mitch Duncan, George Horlin-Smith, Jordan Murdoch, Cam Guthrie, Steven Motlop and Mark Blicavs had now gained the requisite experience to accept responsibility. 

"All roads have tended to lead to Joel when we have been under pressure and now we feel like we have got other options," Scott said.

"He is confident he can spend a bit more time forward without it hurting the team too much around the ball."

Now a centre bounce without Selwood and Dangerfield present is not uncommon, while the duo have even been seen on the bench together at crucial times this season, with everyone from coaches to teammates holding their nerve.

Scott said it was a logical progression for the team that has taken just one top-10 pick – Nakia Cockatoo at 10 in 2015 – since 2007 while it made the transition from superpower to a new era. 

"A couple of years ago there wasn't the quality of player around Joel because we didn't have any in that age group," Scott said. 

"When you lose some champions of the game it is very hard to just bring in 20-year-olds who are probably late picks that can come in and play to that level."

Scott also praised the performance of the 'influential' Blicavs and Aaron Black, who impressed with 18 touches in his first game for the club.

Scott said they had wanted to play Black earlier in the season and it was "far from a punt" to include him against the Saints.

"He has been right on the edge. It was more a structural thing," Scott said.

"He complemented our game today and he has been extremely diligent in trying to implement what we have been coaching so it was good to see him get his chance and take it as well."