Cats Premiership captain returns in new off-field role

Geelong Cats captain Joel Selwood returns to the Geelong Football Club this season in a part-time role. (Marcel Berens)

Club games record holder and recently retired Premiership Captain Joel Selwood will return to the Geelong Football Club in an off-field role for the 2023 season.

Selwood will be employed part time working across multiple departments across the Club, as ambassador and connector of key Club stakeholders and Geelong Football Club Foundation and also playing an active role with the club’s Membership team.

“Whilst Joel won’t be pulling on the boots in 2023, he won’t be lost to the club and we’re thrilled to continue to have the calibre of Joel within our Team of All,” said Geelong CEO Steve Hocking.

“The next 12 months presents a unique and rich opportunity for Joel to learn the craft of off-field football administration, as he embraces new dawns and new opportunities post playing.

“We know Joel is an impressive leader and we believe he can continue to play an important role with the club in this new capacity.”

Selwood said football clubs are about people, all incredibly important to the fabric of what makes the Geelong Football Club so special. 

“There are so many special people that were a part of my time at Geelong that have sat outside of the day-to-day football program, and I am excited to be able to spend more time with them, with our partners, stakeholders and members in this new role,” he said.

“I pinched myself every day that I got to do what I loved at Geelong, and I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to continue my journey with, and learn more from the Cats, in turn helping them continue to unlock excellence.”

As part of the club’s build up to its round one blockbuster against Collingwood next Friday, March 17 Selwood will accompany members on the Walk to the ‘G, leaving Federation Square at 6pm. Selwood will also do a lap of honour pre-game with the 2022 premiership flag.

The Cats will unfurl the 2022 premiership flag in round six against grand final opponent Sydney in their first match at GMHBA Stadium for the season.