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 Selwood family has spoken of their “heartbreak” at the loss of son and brother Troy after he passed away suddenly on Tuesday in a death mourned by the AFL community.

Selwood’s body was found at a Geelong home on Tuesday morning in a tragic development that has rocked the tight-knit local community.

The 40-year-old took his own life after battling mental health issues in recent years.

The Geelong Grammar head of football was found in a Highton home.

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

While friends and family were aware of his personal battles, the former Geelong recruiter was doing brilliant work advocating for Geelong Grammar talent, including last year’s No.1 overall draft pick Sam Lalor (Richmond).

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

The former No.19 pick in the 2002 national draft played 75 games between 2003-2010 with Brisbane before returning to Geelong to captain the club to a VFL premiership.

A dogged and determined player like his brothers, he was used mostly as a tagger by the Lions before being delisted.

But he battled severe injuries, including a dislocated shoulder and had a string of concussions that at one stage had him considering wearing a helmet like Brisbane’s Shaun Hart.

His 2009 head clash with Richmond’s Alex Rance that saw both players knocked out remains one of the more sickening collisions in recent memory.

Selwood had two children – Tom and Sadie – with partner Sarah, but it is understood the pair had split in recent years.

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 heartbroken 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 brought 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

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 brothers cut their teeth playing in the backyard in Bendigo and at junior club Sandhurst before being recruited to play AFL.

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 identification program from 2017 onwards before being poached by Collingwood. He lasted only four months before health issues saw him moving on in 2021, finding a new role at Geelong Grammar later that year.

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

He had only this weekend detailed the remarkable rise of Richmond’s No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor and the youngster’s love of cricket in an interview with Nine.

“The boys used to all come out when Sammy came to the crease, and watch him bat,” Selwood said of Lalor.

“Absolutely, those boarding house windows, he came close to them a number of times.

“He is super explosive, hence the comparisons to ‘Dusty’ or to Petracca or to these type players.”

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 7.

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

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