GEELONG captain Joel Selwood will rely on match simulation at training on Saturday in order to prove his fitness for the Cats' season opener. 

The 31-year-old, who had surgery to repair hamstring tendon damage in November, has sat out both of the Cats' Marsh Community Series matches this pre-season.

While hopeful he'll be fit to tackle Greater Western Sydney on March 21, Selwood said he put greater emphasis on the full season.

"We just made a decision a couple of weeks ago that we'll go about it a little different," Selwood said on the call to sit out the clash against Essendon in Colac.

"We've got a couple of important match-plays coming up through the next two weeks before we take on GWS and I'll prioritise those instead.

"I'll train tomorrow (Tuesday) when the boys are going to have the day off and I'll train every second day up until round one. 

"There's probably five sessions I have to get through and feel really good and being my age now, I'd rather going in feeling good than just limping in."

Selwood was speaking alongside injured Essendon defender Cale Hooker at the launch of the Powercor Country Game to be played between the two clubs at the MCG on May 9.

Heading into its fifth year, the match will be accompanied by a festival in Yarra Park to bring the country to the city.

CFA volunteers will receive complimentary tickets to the game, the opportunity to unfurl the Australian Flag prior to the bounce and a lap of honour at half time.