Footy world mourns shock death of Troy Selwood, brother of Cats legend Joel, at the age of 40

A shocked AFL community is in mourning after the passing of former Brisbane Lion Troy Selwood, brother of Cats legend Joel, who died on Tuesday, aged 40.

Joel Selwood and Troy Selwood on the red carpet at the 2014 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Alex Coppel

The football community is mourning the sudden death of former Brisbane player Troy Selwood after his body was found at a Geelong home on Tuesday morning.

Selwood, 40, is part of the famous AFL football family that includes Geelong champion Joel and West Coast Eagles player Adam and Geelong player Scott.

He had been working at Geelong Grammar as the head of football after a 75-game career at the Lions between 2003-2010 after being drafted as the 19th overall selection in the 2002 national draft.

It is understood he was found in his Highton home this morning.

The Selwood family from left: Scott, Bryce, Brit, Joel, Maree, Troy and Adam at Joel’s 2022 retirement announcement. Picture: Jason Edwards

A dogged and determined player like his brothers, he was used mostly as a tagger by the Lions before winning a VFL premiership with Geelong in 2012.

The Selwood brothers all trod various paths to the AFL stage and while they never played together like the famous Daniher brothers, their story was inspirational.

The sons of Bryce and Maree cut their teeth playing in the back yard in Bendigo and at junior club Sandhurst before being recruited to play AFL.

The Selwood family issued a statement on Tuesday following Troy’s passing, saying they would miss the spirit and bravery of their son and brother.

“We are heart broken by the loss of our son, brother and father, Troy this morning. We will miss Troy more than words can express,” the family said.

“Troy was a much loved and loving member of our family. Over the course of his life, Troy bought joy and light to all who knew him. He was a loving son of Maree and Bryce, a supportive and caring brother to Adam, Joel and Scott, and a doting father of beautiful children Tom and Sadie.

“We will miss Troy’s bravery, his humour, his deep thinking, his love and compassion. Troy had a generosity of spirit, cared deeply about people and strove to make the lives of others better.

“We are grateful to all those that have supported Troy throughout his life, and we know that his many friends, teammates and colleagues will miss him greatly.”

Troy Selwood in his AFL playing days with Brisbane Lions pictured with twin brother, former Eagle Adam. Picture: JACKSON FLINDELL

Geelong players were informed of the tragic news this morning while they completed school visits as part of their community camp, with many deeply affected due to their strong connections to Troy and Joel.

Cats defender Jed Bews, who played alongside then-captain Selwood in a VFL premiership in 2012, said the club will throw their support behind the Selwoods.

“We only found out an hour or so ago so it is still pretty raw,” Bews said.

“I was lucky enough to play in a VFL in a premiership in my first year with Troy and way I remember him was he was always a bubbly person, always up and about, always happy to have a chat.

“It is a tough time, firstly for the family and close friends but also the footy club second. We are just going to wrap our arms around the Selwoods and just do whatever we can to support them because it is a tough time.”

Bews has attempted to set the same example for Geelong’s youngsters as Selwood did for him.

“The way he went about it, work ethic for me – as him being the older guy – watch how he went about it, you try to model yourself off those kind of guys. He was just one of those older guys that his attitude I loved.

“I try to do a similar thing, getting a little bit older now so when you’ve got these young guys coming through it is always important to be a good role model.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the leagues’ thoughts were with the Selwood family.

“Troy always bought a sense of positivity, humour and care to the recruiting and talent development process and will be sadly missed by everyone that was fortunate enough to work with him,” he said.

“We send our deepest sympathies to Joel, Adam, Scott, Bryce, Maree and the entire Selwood family, the staff and students at Geelong Grammar and all those who knew him in the football family at this time.”

Troy at age 5 in Collingwood jumper pictured with twin brother Adam.

Four-time premiership player Joel Selwood played 355 games as the longest-serving captain in AFL history, Scott played 169 games at the Cats and Eagles, while Adam played 187 games for West Coast including the 2006 premiership.

Troy worked at Geelong from 2011 until 2021, moving into the talent ID program from 2017 onwards before being poached by Collingwood.

He lasted only four months before health issues saw him moving on in 2021, then finding a new role at Geelong Grammar in late 2021.

Scott Selwood is currently working at Collingwood as an assistant coach, while Joel works part time with the AFL while also completing commentary duties with Channel Seven.

Troy was also thrilled with the drafting of AFLW player Lou-Lou Field to Carlton last year after her strong progress playing at Geelong Grammar.

Troy with brothers Adam, Joel and Scott at the launch of their kids book in 2016. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Selwood family asked for “privacy and respect” as they coped with the “devastating loss”.

Geelong Grammar principal Rebecca Cody spoke to Selwood’s parents and brother, Joel, this morning, who were eager to share how much Troy loved his work at the school.

As the school’s Head of Football & Sports Performance Mentor, Selwood was an important mentor for Richmond No.1 pick and Geelong Grammar alumnus Sam Lalor and helped several other students achieve their AFL dream.

“The School is deeply saddened to confirm our highly regarded colleague Troy Selwood tragically passed away this morning,” Cody said in a statement.

“Troy has been our Football and Sports Performance Mentor since October 2021 and has played a significant role in our School community, supporting and guiding our students, colleagues and families.

“On behalf of the Geelong Grammar School community, we send our sincere condolences to Troy’s family, particularly his parents, brothers, and his two children, who we hold in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

Troy Selwood playing for the Lions in 2008.

“Our focus will be to support our community to navigate this difficult time, wrapping them in our light blue through the provision of expert psychological support services and pastoral care.”

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann extended his deepest condolences to the Selwood family.

“Troy was much loved amongst his teammates and respected across the industry for his work in multiple football roles,” he said.

“The ultimate team player and hugely popular with his teammates, he was a fearless competitor.”

Selwood’s Lions coach and now Carlton coach Michael Voss paid tribute to Selwood, saying his football was exemplified by driving a comeback after the side went down by four goals.

“Every now again as a coach you get goose bumps about different things, and I got goose bumps when I saw that,” Voss said.

“I thought ‘that’s what teamwork is all about’ - when one of your mates puts his body on the line for you and is willing to hurt himself for the greater cause.

“When you see all the guys go over to him after the game and acknowledge that effort, it is spine tingling. And when you see a commitment like that from one of your teammates you can’t help but not want to let him down.”