MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Debutant, Ryan Abbott of the Cats and Shaun Grigg of the Tigers compete in a ruck contest during the 2018 AFL round 20 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 03, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Geelong captain Joel Selwood has confirmed that Ryan Abbott will be given the number one ruck duties when Geelong takes on Melbourne in an elimination final on Friday night.

Speaking on Triple M, the Cats star said Abbott had "been ready for quite a while," as he gets set to face the All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn at the MCG.

"We've given Ryan his go and he's done a good job so he'll get the crack against Maxy first up."

Selwood also said both Jack Henry and Mark Blicavs will have the job of aiding Abbott in their quest to limit the influence of the number one ruckman in the competition.

Abbott was the 69th pick in the 2016 National Draft as a mature age player and made his debut against Richmond in Round 20 this season, kicking two goals.