Extreme speed over 100m on the athletics track is not their forte, but they are three very quick footballers.
The Cats’ midfield trio look like they have been formed from the same mould. All around 180cm tall and mid-80kg in weight - short, a little squat with a low centre of gravity which gives them enormous balance and strength in and around the physical contests.
Their quickness on a football field comes from a short-step running action which enables them to accelerate quickly and to still have the ability to stop and start or twist and turn away from the opposition pressure.
These are favourable physical characteristics, but even more notable is their fantastic game awareness of time, space and players around them. Quick minds, quick legs, quick hands and strong bodies allow them to lead the Cats’ contested ball winning around the packs.
All are brave but Selwood’s desperation and willingness to put his body into dangerous places borders on the fanatical. The manner in which he attacks the footy without a hint of self-preservation must be a great inspiration to his teammates and very scary for his family and friends.
Selwood sets a standard in bravery that few could ever match. He is quite prepared to use his body as a Michael Voss-like battering ram whenever required.
On Saturday night when Geelong rebounded from last week’s loss to Collingwood with a 101-point thrashing of the fourth-placed Bulldogs, Ablett and Selwood were both simply magnificent.
Chapman, by comparison, was only very good. All three were All-Australians in 2009 and a repeat this year would appear to be a certainty.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
