Troy Selwood funeral: Joel, Adam and Scott deliver touching tribute as friends, family and the footy world gather at GMHBA Stadium
Friends, family and the football world have gathered on Friday morning to celebrate the life of Troy Selwood, who tragically died last week. And his brothers delivered an emotional eulogy.
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Geelong legend Joel Selwood has delivered a heartfelt eulogy for his older brother Troy after his tragic passing, thanking him for “fighting as long as (he) did”.
Troy, 40, was remembered by thousands of mourners at GMHBA Stadium on Friday, where he worked with the Cats for more than a decade as a player, administrator, and scout.
Joel, Troy and Scott Selwood all recounted different parts of the former Lions tagger’s football and professional life, remarked upon his selflessness and caring nature, and shared their sorrow during the emotional service.
Joel, the last of the brothers to speak, finished his eulogy by delving into the mental demons Troy faced.
The four-time premiership Cat said he and the entire Selwood family were immensely proud of Troy for fighting as long as he could.
“As a family we sit here in pain, but also proudly at the time Troy put into himself over many years,” Joel said.
“He was dealt some pretty tough cards over his lifetime. Some he was dealt, he found a way to deal with. But sadly, there were others, no matter how hard he tried, he could never fully control.
“And he did try. He tried so hard.
“He put up a hell of a fight – for mum and dad, for his kids, for his brothers, for his friends and for others that are fighting the same fight just as he was. He fought for all of us.
“He wanted to keep fighting, as he always did in life, but in the end he simply couldn’t lift his arms to throw another punch back.”
Not only did Joel recognise the man who just “made people feel good” – but the parents that raised him, too.
“Mum and Dad, you did an incredible job,” Joel said.
“We can’t imagine your pain and we won’t try to.
“I hope my boys love Brit and I as much as he loved you both.”
Joel said his older brother would have been “chuffed” with the turnout, with the wing at Kardinia Park packed with people Troy had touched.
Earlier in the eulogy, Joel mentioned the ‘quick’ phone calls he and Troy would have – that would inevitably last for 90 minutes – and the long car rides Troy had with Cats VFL team manager Vic Fuller, who passed away in 2021.
Then later, in conclusion, Joel opened up on what he might say if Troy’s name popped up on his phone one last time.
“If his number came up this afternoon, I was thinking about what I would say,” Selwood said.
“And I think I would answer and say what he said to me, ‘Hey brother’, just a quick one.
“And I’d follow with, ‘Troy, I just wanted to know how much you were loved. And I want to thank you for everything. Thanks for the support and the help and the guidance over the years. I’m sorry you had to struggle so hard, but thank you for fighting as long as you did. I want you to know you were really loved and everyone wanted you to be happy’.
“I hope you’re in a good spot now, I hope you and Vic are together, smiling, telling stories, laughing, and having fun. Love you brother, speak soon.”
The crowd was filled with football figures in a sign of his remarkable impact on the game, including AFL greats Jonathan Brown, Gary Ablett Jr, Jimmy Bartel, Scott Pendlebury and Brendan Fevola, and a host of past and present players from Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood.
And many held back tears, as Adam opened the emotional eulogy with a tribute to his “built-in best mate” that was his twin brother Troy.
“Having an identical twin is wonderful and complex,” Adam said.
“A twin is more than a sibling, they are a constant presence, a built-in best mate.
“He wasn’t just my brother, he was my mirror, my fearless competitor, my ally.”
Adam admitted writing the words was the “hardest thing I’ve ever had to do”, but he took comfort in reflecting on the childhood moments that shaped them.
In true Selwood nature, these revolved around fearless competition around the family home.
“Every game we played in our backyard was for sheep stations,” Adam read.
“If blood wasn’t split, it wasn’t played hard enough…Troy and I were relentless competitors.
“Rest easy my beautiful brother, I love you so much, I am so proud of you.
“I will carry you with me always.”
Adam handed over to Scott, who began recounting Troy’s journey into the AFL, with his brother’s words helping him through.
Scott began by recounting the message Troy would pass on any time he was struggling –“you’ve got this Scooty, you’re going to be great”.
And he, like his brothers on a very difficult day, indeed, were great.
Originally published as Troy Selwood funeral: Joel, Adam and Scott deliver touching tribute as friends, family and the footy world gather at GMHBA Stadium
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