GEELONG is expected to soon start negotiations with the management of defender Jed Bews as the 23-year-old cements his position in the Cats' backline with outstanding recent form.

Bews was the Cats' best player on Friday night against Adelaide, quelling Adelaide star Eddie Betts once again as well as providing rebound from defensive 50.

He was the only Cat to earn a coaches' vote in the disappointing loss to the Crows.

The son of Geelong champion Andrew Bews has established himself in the team after battling to win a spot at the start of the season.

Apart from missing round 11 with an ankle injury he has been a permanent fixture in the Cats backline since round six and taken his games tally to 42.

The runner-up in the 2016 AFL Grand Final sprint has begun to use his pace more to give the Cats run out of defence and is excellent in the air.

Bews has developed strongly since he was a father-son selection (pick No.86) in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft and is well respected at the Cats.

Geelong is yet to re-sign Steve Motlop and Dan Menzel in 2017, with no decision expected on Motlop until season's end while Menzel is expected to remain at the club having made a remarkable comeback from four knee reconstructions.