Touching update after second brother’s death rocks football

There has been a stirring response following the death of Adam Selwood with the AFL star’s final act for twin brother Troy moving people to act.

Adam Selwood’s final act for his twin brother Troy has been honoured in touching fashion following the West Coast premiership star’s death on Saturday.

News of the 41-year-old’s death has left the AFL world in deep mourning — coming just three months after 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.

Adam Selwood’s plan to raise money for a mental health charity in his brother’s honour spread across cyberspace on Saturday after the tragic news of his death was made public.

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Left. Adam Selwood and Troy Selwood. Right: Joel Selwood and Adam Selwood.

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.

Troy’s death by suicide left the Selwood family and the wider football community in shock.

And feeling like he needed to do something to prevent further tragedies, Adam, set out to complete a half marathon in his twin’s honour for his chosen mental health charity.

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.

“Hi everyone, Following the heartbreaking loss of my twin brother to suicide, I have made the decision to take on the HBF Health Run for a Reason Half Marathon,” Adam wrote in a statement on his fundraising page.

“My goal is to raise $10,000 in support of zero2hero – an incredible charity committed to educating, engaging, and empowering young people to become mental health leaders and help prevent youth suicide here in Western Australia.

Former AFL star Adam Selwood. Source: Facebook

Adam Selwood has been remembered as a selfless man. Source: Facebook

“This cause is deeply personal to me, and this run marks an important step in my own healing journey, as well as an ongoing commitment to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention across the country. Your support would mean the world to me.

“Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of young Western Australians and is deeply appreciated by myself, my family, and the zero2hero community.

“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your love, generosity, and support in recent times. I will be sharing my training journey in the lead-up to the run on Sunday, 25 May, and I am incredibly grateful to those who have already helped me get the runners back on and start moving again.”

The Selwood boys – Joel, Troy, Adam and Scott Selwood after this year's grand final.

Selwood last month made another post, writing: “It is truly amazing, and I know Troy would be proud of the impact we are making together”.

In a heartbreaking interview about his marathon plans, Selwood told 9News that running was a deep bond he shared with his twin and that’s why he felt it was a fitting way to pay tribute to his memory.

“We loved running together growing up, it was one part of us to become football players, we knew that going out to do cross country runs together,” he said.

“We actually joined a club in our teenage years, they were some of our real happy memories.”

In the same interview reflecting on his brother’s passing, Adam urged people struggling to seek help and said he felt his brother had already prevented many tragedies.

“I don’t want anyone to go through this type of pain if it can be avoided, and it can,” he said.

“He’s already saved lives, many, that probably during that period needed to speak up and get the care required, to know that’s occurred does warm my heart and does provide me with the strength to keep moving through.”

AFL world grieves loss of Adam Selwood

His wife Fiona Selwood said in a statement via the AFL: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Adam earlier today. 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.

“We will miss Adam deeply — his spirit, his kindness, and the joy he brought to every room. “His determination, the lessons he shared, and his infectious personality will stay with us always. Adam had a unique ability to make people feel special, and our family was lucky to experience that every day.”

Many were quick to pay their respects to the 41-year-old who was remembered as a selfless man that was loved by all.

“Don’t have the words to write about Adam Selwood. Heartbreaking. 3 months after his twin, his best mate, Troy. Awful, awful,” Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels wrote.

While the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark said on Fox Footy: “The football world is in mourning today. It’s hard to comprehend the pain the family is feeling today after the death of his twin brother Troy who died just months earlier.”

— You can donate to Adam Selwood’s zero2hero campaign here.

Originally published as Touching update after second brother’s death rocks football