GEELONG assistant coach Brendan McCartney believes NAB AFLRising Star Joel Selwood could be as good as Brownlow prospect Jimmy Bartel.

McCartney said Selwood 's "attack on the ball" wasreminiscent of the more experienced Cat.

He also said Selwood' showed his potential from his firstmoments at the club.  

"It's been very satisfying to pick up a boy so early inthe draft and see him make an impression, probably as far back as Novemberpre-season, or just after he was drafted," McCartney said after Selwoodwas named the NAB AFL Rising Star on Wednesday.

"In December and in pre-season drills, he made hisolder teammates sit up and take notice with the way he conducted himself attraining and the way he handled contest drills and drills where you had to begood in traffic and know a fair bit about the game.

"He's just grown from that. He's been a real joy towork with, and not just with myself, I know all the coaches have really enjoyedthe year with him."

McCartney also said Selwood's consistency across the seasonwas what set him apart from the rest of Geelong'simpressive crop of emerging stars.

"We've got some terrific players down there, and attimes, they've all made massive impacts on the game, relative to a young playerin their first year," he said.

"Probably the difference with this young fella is thathe's been able to sustain it over a whole year.

"I think young people come into the game and they playone or two or three or four great games, but Joel, and I think his brother saidit in the paper beautifully, just hasn't put in a bad game.

"Each week we've put him out there and he's justmaintained his attack on the ball, fitted in with how the team's played and hasjust wanted to win, week-in, week-out, which is a credit to him."

McCartney agreed with suggestions Selwood is a"ready-made leader", and said he has already shown signs he iscapable of taking control of the side later in his career.

"You'd have to say yes, because he sees the game well,communicates to his teammates in games, plays well, plays to win," hesaid.

"We've only had him for a short time, so we don'tpretend to know everything that's in his heart and his head, but I don't thinkanything will get in the way of him wanting to achieve long-term success forhim and his team.

"That's all the trademarks of a good leader."