THE FREE-flowing football that took Geelong to three consecutive grand finals will be a thing of the past in 2011 under new coach Chris Scott.

Scott was appointed to the top job after Mark Thompson's departure at the end of last season and the former Fremantle assistant coach is widely credited with implementing the tight defence that helped Fremantle become surprise finalists in 2010.

New Geelong vice-captain Joel Selwood said a hallmark of the better sides in recent years was their strong defensive units and it was something the Cats would look to work on as they embarked on life without Thompson and star Gary Ablett.

"Over the years Hawthorn led the way and then Collingwood and St Kilda have shown us the way again. We look forward to trying to implement something similar but hopefully in a better manner," Selwood said on Melbourne radio station 3AW on Wednesday.

"The game moves along so quickly that you've got to jump ahead of it somehow and we hope we can do that."

On Tuesday night Selwood was named the club's sole vice-captain to skipper Cameron Ling after an endorsement from his peers and coaching staff.

He said Scott had made an instant impact since arriving at the Cats.

"He has been super-impressive and he has been hard on us. What you see with Chris Scott is what you get," he said.

"That's how he played; he was hard and fair and it's the way he has started his coaching career."

Selwood dismissed suggestions the Cats would slide down the ladder as they adjusted to life without their star midfielder and premiership coach.

"We still believe we're there or thereabouts. We obviously need to improve. Finishing third is not where we want to be," he said.

"We're looking forward to it and we've done a few different things this year that can hopefully get us over the line in those big matches."