Selwood struggled early in Geelong’s qualifying final loss to St Kilda last weekend, managing just four possessions in the first half.
Although he finished with 19 touches, he was very disappointed with his performance, and the 22-year-old has responded by doing plenty of extra work on the training track this week.
“I think [the coaches] have probably had to pull the reins in him a little bit, because he sets the bar extremely high,” Bartel said at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday.
“To his credit he’s delivered week-in, week-out in his brilliant career and I think that’s why everyone’s talking when he’s finally shown up one bad game.
“He’ll come out firing [against Freo] and I can’t see him playing two in a row like that.”
While Geelong will enter Friday night’s clash as a red-hot favourite, Fremantle’s speed through the middle of the ground is expected to pose a threat.
But Bartel, who has battled an elbow problem during the latter part of the season, doesn’t believe a perceived lack of pace is an issue for the Cats.
“Every side we play against, every week, we’re told that we are supposedly not quick enough to go with them, yet we’ve managed to get to this stage of the year,” he said.
“Freo’s pace is a strength, but we’ll deal with it.”
The main danger for Geelong is that the players might start thinking about the prospect of another preliminary final meeting with Collingwood before they have taken care of Fremantle.
However, Bartel is adamant the Cats won’t be falling into that trap.
“Everyone else thinks we’re a monty [to win] but we know how good Freo have been all year and what a good side they are,” he stated.
“We saw how well they played against Hawthorn. They’re a young and energetic side, led by some really good experienced players.”
