Collingwood, West Coast lead tributes for Adam Selwood, whose death has rocked the AFL community

Craig McRae was lost for words after the win over Adelaide on Saturday, revealing the difficult decision to not tell his players the news of Adam Selwood’s passing until after the game.

Collingwood captain and AFL Players Association president Darcy Moore says Magpie players were in “shock” when told after Saturday’s win over Adelaide that Adam Selwood had died, as the Collingwood continued to send support for assistant coach Scott Selwood.

Collingwood forwards coach Scott Selwood flew to Perth on Saturday morning after his brother Adam passed away and missed the game against Adelaide, but Magpies players did not know why he wasn’t there until after the match, given their phones were locked away as per league protocol when the news broke.

The Magpies coaching staff, led by Craig McRae, shielded the players from the news until an emotional meeting post-match.

Moore said the Pies players were in “shock”.

“Clearly when you come in to prepare for the game your phone goes into a box and you don’t hear about the outside world,” he said.

“Players who played were unaware so it was a one-way conversation (post-match) about what’s happened and how it affects us and the importance of rallying around each other and supporting each other.”

READ: FOOTBALL REELING AFTER A YEAR OF UNIMAGINABLE TRAGEDY

Scott Selwood sheds a tear during alongside Adam at Troy’s funeral in February. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Brayden Maynard and Darcy Moore post-match on Saturday. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos

McRae physically could not speak straight after the game, overcome with emotion during a boundary-line interview with Fox Footy.

As he walked away from the interview he wiped tears from his eyes.

McRae ultimately paid tribute to Selwood, breaking down at the end of his post-game press conference.

“There’s no book written on this stuff, we got the news this morning and it’s horrible,” he said, with his voice quivering.

“We didn’t really know what to do, to be honest.

“The coaches knew because we had to get to work on Scott getting on a plane to go back to Perth.

“We protected the players thinking it might be the right thing, I don’t know if it was, but we told the whole club straight after the game.”

Moore said the Magpies would do everything they could to support Scott.

The Selwood family tragically also lost Adam’s twin brother Troy in February.

“We clearly work very closely with Scott, we know him so well,” Moore said.

“He works so hard for us players to be out there and live our dreams so for him and his family to be dealing with this is heartbreaking. For us it is about rallying around and supporting and sending our strength as much as we can.

“We’ve worked with him for over five years now and anyone who works with him and knows how selfless he is and what an empath he is and that he would do anything for anyone, so for him and his family to go through this just breaks your heart.”

Moore, who missed Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury, sat in the coaches box during the win over the Crows as the Magpies coaching panel carried on working to secure a tight win.

“The professionalism they displayed was exceptional,” he said.

“It was not a normal thing for a human being to process news like that about one of their closest mates, closest co-workers, and then have to go and do a high pressure job like that.

“I don’t really know what to say, it is a bizarre situation they found themselves in and a really difficult one as a human being but I’m really proud of them the way they stuck together and handled it.”

‘Ultimate team man’: Eagles lead emotional Adam Selwood tributes

– Matt Forrest

Adam Selwood is being remembered as an “outstanding person” by the football world after his shock sudden death on Saturday.

The 2006 premiership Eagle passed suddenly in Western Australia, just months after his twin brother Troy’s death in February.

Selwood’s premiership coach John Worsfold said he and the footy community were in mourning.

“Adam was a great teammate who loved the club, loved his footy,” he said.

“He always put his mates and team first, and he would be saying that now.

“We drafted him at 18 and watched him grow as a player and person. We got to know the Selwood family so well over the years, and they are such wonderful people who our hearts go out to more than anything today.

“As a player, Adam was the ultimate team man. He played whatever role was required. He gave it 100 per cent and connected with everyone he was involved with.

“He’s had a massive impact on our footy club as a player, coach and staff member.

Adam Selwood.

Selwood squares up to Barry Hall during a game.

Selwood played 187 games for the Eagles, winning a flag while also representing Australia in the International Rules Series.

Once he retired, Selwood moved into coaching at the Eagles, taking on a development coaching role and then becoming the inaugural head of female football as the club launched its AFLW program.

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke said he had a “significant impact” on the club.

“He had a significant impact on our football club across 18 years, which included working in our community and game development department and setting up our AFLW program, something he was incredibly proud of and will be a lasting legacy,” he said.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also paid tribute to Selwood and his family.

“Adam was a dearly loved son, brother, husband and father and his loss is a tremendous blow for all who loved him,” Dillon said.

“On behalf of the AFL and all of our clubs, I want to send our love to his wife Fiona and their two children, to Maree and Bryce Selwood, Joel and Scott, and their families, and all of Adam’s many friends and colleagues and past teammates at West Coast and across football.

“Adam was a premiership player and outstanding contributor to the game at the highest level, and then latterly continued to work in the game in coaching and other roles, but first and foremost he was a young man who gave so much time and love to those around him.”

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said the association was “shattered” by Selwood’s death.

“The Selwoods are a much loved and admired family and Adam was a man of enormous courage, spirit, and leadership – qualities that are universally admired,” he said.

“Adam was an AFLPA Delegate and then a Board member during his playing career and his impact on the AFLPA and our members will live on and his loss will be felt by so many.”

Selwood played in West Coast’s 2006 premiership.

Adam Selwood and his family.

Geelong, where Adam’s brother Joel played, released a statement on Saturday.

“The Geelong Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Adam Selwood,” Geelong’s statement read.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Fiona, children Lenny and Billie, brothers Joel and Scott and parents Maree and Bryce, our thoughts are with you at this time.”

Adam’s brother Scott Selwood is currently coaching at Collingwood, which also put out a statement.

“On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we extend our deepest condolences to the Selwood family following the passing of Adam,” the club released in a statement.

“We send strength & all of our love to Adam’s parents Maree & Bryce, his brothers Scott & Joel, his wife Fiona & their children Lenny & Billie.”

Selwood with his younger brother Joel before a match.

Adam Selwood delivered the eulogy at his brother Troy’s funeral only a few months ago.

Geelong premiership forward Cam Mooney, who played alongside Joel Selwood during his time at the Cats, almost broke down on Fox Footy’s broadcast of the Collingwood and Adelaide clash.

“It’s a family I’ve known for nearly 20 years and a family that I’ve grown very fond of over the years and loved,” he said on Fox Footy’s broadcast.

“So to hear the news this morning, absolutely tragic... it was only three months ago that we buried Troy.

“Obviously want to send all my condolences and love to a family that I absolutely love and adore, and to a teammate that I got to play alongside with in a couple of premierships and just let everyone know that we’re all thinking of you guys and that we love you and all the best.”

Geelong released a statement on Saturday.

“The Geelong football club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Adam Selwood,” Geelong’s statement read.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Fiona, children Lenny and Billie, brothers Joel and Scott and parents Maree and Bryce, our thoughts are with you at this time.”

Adam’s brother Scott Selwood is currently coaching at Collingwood, which also put out a statement.

“On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we extend our deepest condolences to the Selwood family following the passing of Adam,” the club released in a statement.

“We send strength & all of our love to Adam’s parents Maree & Bryce, his brothers Scott & Joel, his wife Fiona & their children Lenny & Billie.”

Former Saint and Magpie Luke Ball, who played junior footy with twins Adam and Troy, said it was a “horror” day for all involved.

”Your heart just breaks for the family, they’re a great family,” he said on ABC Grandstand Sport.

“Obviously not just a great footy family but a close-knit family, and just to think that they had to go through that three months ago and then have to go through it all again... 

“I played in an under 12 team with the twins, they were my age, couple of months younger... (I) knew them all the way through.

“It’s just another horror day for the footy family.”

Hawthorn premiership legend Luke Hodge also played with both Adam and Troy Selwood during their junior days and said he felt for the Selwood clan during this latest tragedy.

“I played junior football with Adam and Troy in 1996,” he said on SEN.

“So, I met the Selwood family many years ago and every time you run into them, [they’re] always quality people and you feel for them.

“You feel for the whole Selwood family for what they have been through over the last few months. It’s terrible.”

Legendary coach Mick Malthouse choked up when he offered his condolences.

“It’s just shocking. As parents, I just can’t imagine what it would be like, you know, the wife and the kids,” he said. “I can’t even talk about it, I’m sorry.”

Originally published as Collingwood, West Coast lead tributes for Adam Selwood, whose death has rocked the AFL community