Gold Coast young gun Matt Rowell. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

CHRIS Judd and Joel Selwood are the two players that come to mind when Geelong coach Chris Scott thinks of Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell.

BARRETT Could a four-game star upstage two of the greats?

The gun Sun has racked up three consecutive perfect games in the AFL Coaches' Association voting, so expect to see a tagger hanging off the 18-year-old as the Cats host Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

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"My mind does go back a little bit to Chris Judd and Joel Selwood when they started in the competition," Scott said of Rowell on Tuesday.

"As a first-year player, albeit the number one draft pick, to come into a side and be your team's number one midfielder right from the word go is a remarkable achievement."



Scott confirmed he'll go with a "hard tag" on Rowell, but he's not certain that will stop the strong-bodied midfielder.

"It's a mistake to say 'they're just a young player and they’re playing well but when they get a bit more attention they won't perform to the same level'," Scott said.

Matt Rowell has become an integral part of the Suns' side already. Picture: AFL Photos

The Cats will have to consider how they manage some of the older players in the side, with a five-day break set between rounds five and six.

Defender Harry Taylor had a break in round four and didn't face the Demons, but he's the "obvious" potential replacement for Tom Stewart, while Lachie Henderson is also in the mix.

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Ruckman Rhys Stanley has been ruled out for this week, but the athletic big man has returned to running.