Frenzy erupts over Adam Selwood act in Welcome to Country
There has been outrage and some support for a local Elder after a Welcome to Country that addressed the death of AFL player Adam Selwood.
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A social media frenzy has erupted over the tribute given to Adam Selwood during Saturday night’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.
News of the 41-year-old’s death has left the AFL world in deep mourning — coming just three months after twin brother Troy took his own life.
One of four Selwood brothers to play AFL football, Adam played 187 games for West Coast and was famously part of the Eagles’ 2006 premiership win over the Sydney Swans.
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Tributes to Selwood were made across Saturday’s AFL matches and local Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO also paid her respects to the footballer and his grieving family during her Welcome to Country at Marvel Stadium.
Murphy Wandin delivered classy messages of support for the families of football greats who have died recently — including Robert Walls earlier this week and Andrew Krakouer three weeks’ ago.
However, it was her mention of Selwood that has upset some football spectators.
You can watch her comments in the video player above.
During her Welcome, Murphy Wandin made the mistake of mentioning the death of Troy Selwood — mistaking him for his twin brother, who died on Saturday.
“Today we all shared some very sad news,” she said.
“I would like to acknowledge though, firstly, the passing of young players. Exceptional when they are that young for this to happen.
“And I’d like to mention and pay my tribute and best wishes to Andrew Krakouer’s family.
“And then of course today we heard the passing of Troy Selwood, another young man too young. We are very saddened by his loss. And again. Sincere condolences to his family.
“And in my era, the lovely Robert Walls. A man of stigma. A man of stamina. And a man that was committed to everything he did. And again we pay condolences to his family.”
Her mention of Troy Selwood came during a four-minute speech where the senior leader of the Kulin nation observed the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round — the annual round designed to celebrate the impact Indigenous players have had on the game.
“We’re here tonight to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Doug Nichols round,” she said.
“And I want to pay my respect to him because he was a gentleman. A small man, but full of stature. And certainly a champion in everything he achieved.
“We owe him so much, but we will continue to honour the legacy he has left behind. 2025 has been an up and down season I believe for AFL, VFL and another of other sports.”
She went on to say: “We are here for a celebration. We are celebrating all Indigenous players from the past and through to the current players of today.
“No matter what level of sport they play. We are very proud of them. And I want to say thank you for having me.”
While some social media commentators praised Murphy Wandin for sharing her condolences, others were angry, labelling the mention of Troy Selwood as being “disrespectful”.
One popular AFL content profile on X posted: “That was horrible from Aunty Joy. It was very disrespectful”.
One comment viewed 50,000 times on X said: “Terrible by Aunty Joy. Incredibly disrespectful.
“She named the wrong person who passed away.”
Another user of X posted: “Not a good look by the lady doing the welcome to country getting Adam Selwood and Troy Selwood mixed up today”.
One person posted: “Terrible mistake. I’d put it down to her age and being nervous in front of such a big crowd and being broadcasted on TV”.
Another wrote: “Aunty Joy has had a nightmare. If you’re paying your respects, at least do it right”.
One person hit back on X, writing: “I must have been watching a different version. I thought Aunty Joy did a wonderful job, but then there are those who are totally opposed to anything to do with reconciliation.
“Get in the bin you nasty people.”
Another person wrote: “Aunty Joy’s welcome to country at the footy tonight — so powerful, thoughtful and insightful”.
Murphy Wandin was last month embroiled in the Melbourne Storm Welcome to Country fiasco where the NRL club was ultimately dropped by major partner Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) as a result of a miscommunication that led to a Welcome to Country being cancelled before the team’s Anzac Day game.
Meanwhile, Selwood will be honoured before Sunday’s West Coast game against St Kilda at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Eagles have confirmed the club will wear black arm bands as part of its tribute to the popular player.
“The West Coast Eagles are mourning the heartbreaking loss of 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood, with news of his sudden passing devastating the entire football community,” the club said in a statement.
“Selwood was a much-loved former player, coach and staff member who made a profound and lasting contribution to the Club.
“The Eagles will honour and pay tribute to Selwood at today’s game, with a moments silence prior to the Welcome to Country.”
Adam Selwood’s final act for his twin Troy is being honoured across the country following his death with fans flocking to donate money to a charity program he was supporting.
Adam Selwood was raising raise money for a mental health charity in his brother’s honour
In a heartbreaking set of circumstances, Adam Selwood recently said his plans to take part in next week’s HBF Run for a Reason — in support of the zero2hero charity — was one of the things that “kept him going” after his brother’s death.
The Run for a Reason half marathon will continue to take place on Sunday, May 25, and Selwood will be in the hearts of many that run the course in Perth.
In a touching twist, more than $4000 was donated to Selwood’s zero2hero campaign on Saturday night — taking his total money raised to more than $25,000.
Selwood originally set out on his half marathon journey aiming to raise $10,000 — but the exercise has touched the hearts of many more people than may have been expected.
— You can donate to Adam Selwood’s zero2hero campaign here.
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