‘Thanks for all of the love to myself and my family’: Joel Selwood returns to footy broadcast

Geelong great Joel Selwood has thanked the public for the support as he spoke of his family’s heartache after the shock death of his brother Adam.

Geelong great Joel Selwood has opened up on the heartache his family has endured after the sad, shock death of his brother Adam.

The footy world was in May rocked by the death of Adam, 41, in May – just three months after his twin brother Troy took his own life.

Troy, Adam and Scott celebrate with Joel after the Cats’ 2007 Grand Final win.

Returning to Channel 7’s commentary team on Sunday for the first time since Adam’s death, the four-time Cats premiership star thanked the public for their outpouring of support.

“Thanks for all of the love to myself and my family,” he said.

“It has been a tough time that we will continue to go through.

“Looking forward to getting back into footy.”

Adam, who played 187 matches for West Coast including its 2006 premiership, was one of four Selwood brothers to play AFL footy.

Selwood shared an emotional tribute on Instagram to Adam and his other lost brother

“Rest up, love you brother,” it said.

“Look after each other.”

The four Selwood brothers all played AFL.

The Cats premiership skipper was warmly welcomed back for Seven’s coverage for St Kilda’s Marvel Stadium clash with Melbourne, with St Kilda Hall of Famer Nick Riewoldt declaring: “Great to have my wingman back.”

Adam delivered the eulogy at Troy’s funeral in February, detailing the “rare” and “wonderfully complex” reality of being an identical twin.

“A twin is more than a sibling, they are a constant presence, a built-in best mate and someone who understands you in a way that no-one ever could,” he said.

“Troy wasn’t just my brother; he was my mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest ally and the one person that knew what I was always thinking.

“Losing him has left a massive hole in my life.”

The Selwood family said in a May statement: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Adam.

“Words cannot express the grief and sadness we feel.

“Adam was a loving husband, and an incredible father to Lenny and Billie.

“We are devastated to lose such a wonderful husband, father, son and brother.”

Originally published as ‘Thanks for all of the love to myself and my family’: Joel Selwood returns to footy broadcast