From Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Nick Wade
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GEELONG VFL captain Troy Selwood has retired from football content with his career's achievements after calling time on his playing days today.
The 29-year-old, who captained the Cats' VFL flag last year, weighed up the decision late in the season but said he was moving on confident the VFL program was in good hands.
Selwood played 75 games for the Brisbane Lions between 2005-2010, before signing on as the Cats' VFL captain in 2011, when he also accepted a job in the football department.
His expanding football operations role has made it difficult to balance both playing and work, and he is expected to take on a match-day role with the Cats' AFL side next year.
"To be honest I always thought I'd be one of those stories of a guy who played footy for a few clubs and never managed to win a flag, so last year was special,'' Selwood said on the Gold Coast today.
"But I leave the game content knowing I've sucked all the potential out of myself.
"The last three years (at Geelong) have been especially rewarding, giving back a little bit to help develop the young players and share what I've learnt along my career. That's been the best part of it.
"Obviously the disappointment of losing this year's grand final was hard. I was battling to come to terms with the fact that could be my last game, but I've had some time to think about it and knew my body had had enough.''
Selwood spruiked midfielder Ben Raidme as a prime captaincy candidate, and also pointed to the track records of VFL stalwarts Mark Corrigan and Dom Gleeson.
Raidme made the VFL team of the year this season, but was squeezed out of the finals squad due to the Cats' strong AFL contingent.
"I think it's a great opportunity for Raids,'' Selwood said.
"He's been a part of the VFL system in Geelong for six-to-seven years now and has had his share of hard luck, especially this year, but the way he handled that oozed class and I think he'd be the perfect candidate to take on a more senior leadership role in the team next year.
"That's part of the reason why I'm not anxious about leaving, just knowing the shape of the VFL list. It's in really good hands.
"I would have been a bit nervous if the other leaders were stepping away, but we'll be able to stagger that over the next couple of years and that will provide more opportunities to guys on the VFL list.''
Despite interest from local clubs, Selwood has ruled out playing anywhere next year.
