Selwood was a clear best on ground in Friday night's win, amassing 31 possessions and recording 10 tackles.
The highlight of Selwood’s performance was his effort in the centre square late in the third term, where he flung himself at the contest, won the footy and shot a handball out to Taylor Hunt, who goaled just as the siren sounded.
The response from teammates was immediate, as they surrounded the Cats captain going into the three-quarter time huddle.
"There are so many intricacies to our game, but it still hard to go past the momentum that you build when your leaders stand up and do things that inspire the rest of your team," Scott said after the match.
"He just sets such high standards for himself and he seems to keep surpassing them.
"He is just outstanding with the ball, outstanding when he didn't have the ball and somehow managed to halve some contests that he had no right to.
"That's really what you want from your leaders."
In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, Scott said the best was yet to come from the 24-year-old three-time premiership player.
"He is still only young too. He is going to get better," Scott said.
Selwood, who amassed seven clearances, seven inside 50s and kicked a goal, said it was a huge team effort to get over the defending premier.
"The boys just went in and won the footy and did the basics really well," Selwood told Cats TV.
"We tacked well, we won the contested ball and got it forward."
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire also paid tribute to Selwood's determination.
"He probably had a third of his disposals in the third quarter; he just lifted enormously," Longmire said after the match.
"He was one that was able to break those tackles and will himself."
