Selwood fondly remembered as AFL world mourns
Justin Chadwick |
More tributes have poured in for Adam Selwood, with the former Eagle remembered fondly before West Coast’s AFL clash with St Kilda on Sunday.
Selwood died at the age of 41 in Western Australia on Saturday, just three months after his identical twin and fellow former AFL player Troy Selwood died.
Adam and Troy were brothers of Geelong champion Joel Selwood and former Eagles and Cats midfielder Scott Selwood.
A minute’s silence was held before Sunday’s match, with the big screens at Optus Stadium displaying a photo of Selwood.
West Coast had earlier released a touching tribute on social media featuring some of Selwood’s career highlights.
Selwood played 187 games for the Eagles, including the 2006 premiership, before retiring from the AFL in 2013.
He joined West Coast’s coaching department after his retirement, before becoming the club’s inaugural head of female football.
Selwood was central in the recruiting process that landed key AFLW players such as inaugural captain Emma Swanson and club champion Dana Hooker.
All up, Selwood spent 18 years at West Coast, and he is a life member of the club.
West Coast’s 2006 premiership coach and current head of football John Worsfold led tributes to Selwood on Saturday.
On Sunday, former West Coast coach Adam Simpson and ex-Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich were among the high-profile figures to share their thoughts about Selwood.
“I had the honour of working with Adam for seven years,” Simpson told Fox Sports.
“He started as a development coach in 2014 (after his playing career). He was a fantastic clubman, loyal father and husband. He’s going to be sorely missed.
“The West Coast community along with the rest of the AFL is really in mourning today.”
Pavlich was full of praise for Selwood – both the player and person.
“I played against him. He was a fierce competitor,” Pavlich said.
“I always found it really challenging to go up against him.
“And off the field we worked together at the Players Association quite a bit, so I got to know how loyal (he was), and how he thought about the game in general.
“He’s a special person.”
After his death on Saturday, it emerged Selwood planned to honour his twin brother Troy next Sunday by taking part in the HBF Run for a Reason half marathon.
He initially set out to raise $10,000 for charity zero2hero by taking part in the run, and the tally sat at more than $32,000 just before bounce-down of Sunday’s match.
The WA-based charity aims to educate, engage and empower people to become mental health leaders and help prevent suicide.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
AAP
