JOEL Selwood looks set to miss his second consecutive game, with Geelong conceding that allowing its skipper to play through duress hadn't worked in recent seasons. 

Coach Chris Scott revealed the inspirational skipper was battling a "minor" knee niggle that will likely rule him out of Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs.

THE FULL INJURY LIST Who is racing the clock?

Having already acknowledged champion Gary Ablett should've been rested more last season, Scott said the Cats needed to hold Selwood back for his own good this year.

01:41

The team on a roll that 'might just be unstoppable'

Access All Areas looks at Geelong's victory over a spirited Adelaide, and Nathan Brown gives an update on Sportsbet's premiership market

"We've been through the situation with Joel in the past, in particular last year, where we probably left decision to play up to him a little bit too much," Scott said.

"He would play with no arms and legs if you left it completely up to him and it's just not the right thing for us in our opinion to play him when he's less than 100 per cent.

THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?

"We're at the stage of the season, and he's at the stage of his career to be frank as a 32-year-old, we should only ask him to play when he's close to 100 per cent capacity.

"He could well prove that to us today (at training) but I think that's unlikely.

"There's an element of saving Joel from himself, there's no doubt about that.

"I think he's shifted a little bit from where he was, even last year and certainly a couple of years ago, where he just felt for the team to play well he needed to be in the team leading the way whether he was fit or not."

Scott all but confirmed Zach Tuohy (knee soreness) and Harry Taylor (managed) would return to face the Dogs after missing last week's win over Adelaide.

Scott added:
- Jack Steven's improving fitness levels would likely allow him to back-up off a five-day break and tackle the Dogs.
- Harry Taylor's return to the side would likely be the only significant change to his side's structure on Friday night.
- Darcy Fort, Josh Jenkins and Quinton Narkle, who has recently overcome a heavy bout of food poisoning, would play in a scratch match on Saturday.
- Time was running out for Nakia Cockatoo to play AFL this season with just three matches remaining after Friday night. "It is getting to the point where this is an important bit of match practice for him on Saturday," Scott said.  
- The probable introduction of a pre-finals bye would have a "neutral" impact on his team's quest for a premiership.

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW