Selwood family, Eagles in private farewell for Adam

It was the saddest of reunions. Stars of West Coast Eagles’ class of 2006 were together again at the club’s training complex in Perth on Wednesday to farewell teammate Adam Selwood.

Ben Cousins arrives at the memorial service for Adam Selwood at West Coast Eagles Football Club on Wednesday. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

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This was the saddest of reunions. Stars of West Coast Eagles’ class of 2006 were together again at the club’s training complex in Perth on Wednesday to farewell teammate Adam Selwood.

Less than four months ago – on February 14 at Geelong – Adam “Sellers” Selwood steeled himself to deliver a eulogy for his twin brother Troy. Hearts broke as Adam paid tribute to his “built-in best mate”.

Then, on May 17, Adam died too. The news stunned and stung beyond football.

The memorial for Adam was a private event in the function room of the club where his legend was assured 19 years ago.

Adam was the half back on grand final day 2006 when West Coast beat Sydney by one point. This week the club remembered Adam by publishing a photograph of him taken shortly after the siren sounded on that grand final. He has an open, happy-tired smile. He is 22 years old.

Mourners wait to enter for the memorial service for Adam Selwood. Picture: AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The hearse leaves the arena during Troy Selwood's service in Geelong in February. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

His old teammates filed into the Eagles’ complex on Wednesday mostly in silence. Former captain Chris Judd and Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins wore pained expressions. Premiership teammates Daniel Kerr, David Wirrpanda, Beau Waters and Sam Butler were there.

They all came to say goodbye but also to support the Selwood family in their enormous grief. Adam’s parents Maree and Bryce were said to be inside well before media cameras arrived, with their surviving sons – former Geelong skipper Joel and former West Coast and Geelong player Scott.

The order of service booklet for Adam Selwood. Picture: AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Troy was drafted the same year as Adam – 2002 – and played for Brisbane Lions; Adam played for West Coast from the age of 18 to his retirement. The twins’ deaths have led to uncommon discussions about mental health on fan pages that ordinarily do not stray far from conversations about match day and team form.

Many have revisited some of Adam’s final public statements. As he prepared to complete a fun run to raise money for mental health, Adam said: “I’m so lucky to be a twin and to have a brother who I was able to share on this earth for 40 years.”

Troy’s order of service in February showed him in a tuxedo smiling broadly. On Wednesday, Adam’s order of service showed him in a tuxedo too. The front of the booklet was white and simple with the heading “In loving memory of Adam Selwood”.