The high tackle-shrug debate is back on the agenda as the West Coast Eagles prepare to face the masters of it: Joel Selwood and the Geelong Cats.

In their weekly podcast ahead of round three - and the Sunday showdown between the Eagles and Cats - The West Australian chief football writer Mark Duffield and Sunday Times sports editor Glen Quartermain again raised the spectre of the “shrug” and how it was officiated by umpires.

Selwood has been joined in the Geelong squad for Sunday’s game at Optus Stadium by another “shrug exponent”, his brother and former Eagle Scott Selwood.

“It’s a very tough one for the umpires to call - some are genuine high tackles and others are ones that are shrugged up,” Duffield said.

“I know Leigh Matthews during the call on Monday when Selwood shrugged Jaeger O’Meara’s tackle up...Leigh’s view was that you’ve got to be strong enough to hold the tackle low and if you’re not then you deserve the high free kick.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

“I’m not sure about that. I didn’t like the Luke Shuey one deciding the final last year when he shrugged the Jared Polec tackle up and it basically started around the bicep.”

Your cookie settings are preventing this third party content from displaying. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.

Quartermain suggested the tackle’s starting point should be the mark of legality.

“Selwood is the master at it, but there are a few culprits around the competition - Paul Puopolo at Hawthorn is one and [Selwood] is another,” Quartermain said.

“I tend to think where your tackle begins is where the umpire’s consideration should come in.

“If you start around the hips and end up around the neck, unless it’s blatant, I reckon it should be play on.”

One of the biggest questions ahead of the Eagles’ clash is who should play on the Cats’ superstar trio of Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett.

Duffield says he’d roll the dice with Selwood and Ablett.

“I would tag Dangerfield,” he said.

“You know why? Because what does the opposition coach do when you tag someone like that? Sends him forward.

“I want Dangerfield sent forward. I still remember Monday when he was thrown back into the middle and very nearly won the game for Geelong.

“Let’s say you put Elliot Yeo on him from the start and say ‘you go with him wherever he goes.’

“There may be a better match-up with Dangerfield as a tall midfielder going forward but I can’t think of one.”