‘Disgrace’: Crowd’s savage reaction in Joel Selwood’s historic game

Collingwood payers made a classy tribute to Geelong captain Joel Selwood on his special night — but the crowd’s reaction was just ugly.

Joel Selwood got the last laugh. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Cats captain Joel selwood wads repeatedly booed by spectators at the MCG during Geelong’s epic comeback win on Saturday night.

Geelong celebrated Selwood becoming the longest serving captain in AFL history by pulling off an extraordinary 37-point 16.8 (104) to 13.13 (91) comeback win.

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The match reached boiling point in the third quarter when the Pies kicked back to back goals following a wild melee in their forward fifty.

The melee appeared to be the result of a Collingwood star mouthing off towards Selwood before a Geelong teammate ran in to push the cheeky Magpies player.

It was just one of several ugly moments for Selwood, who was booed by Collingwood fans every time he touched the ball in the second half, a response to an earlier high tackle.

Joel Selwood of the Cats and Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies. Photo by Michael Klein.

Selwood was one of the reasons the Cats fought their way back into the contest in the second half and finished with 22 touches.

Collingwood fans clearly had no intention of showing respect to Selwood as he captained his team for a record 227th game, which took him past Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan for most AFL games played as a club captain.

Some AFL commentators were not happy with the reaction from the Magpies faithful.

Racing reporter Tim Yeatman posted on Twitter: “The booing of Joel Selwood was a disgrace tonight. Last laugh, Joel”.

Veteran sports journalist Peter Ryan posted: “Shame on those who boo a champion”.

Sports reporter Andrew Wu cheekily wrote: “Why the boos for Joel Selwood from the Collingwood fans? He’s breaking a Carlton record, isn’t he?”.

Collingwood players formed an honour guard for Selwood as he walked off the ground.

Joel Selwood of the Cats leaves the field after a win. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Selwood was still smiling at the end of the night.

“This group, seriously,” he said.

“There is just something special about it. We had confidence at three quarter time even though the third quarter just wasn’t ours. We got outplayed big time but outstanding by the boys. Big efforts and big moments going into that final quarter.”

Jeremy Cameron stood up when he was needed the most, nabbing six, including three in the final quarter, equalling his best game for the club.

A Luke Dahlhaus behind put the Cats ahead 23 minutes into the final term, and despite Jamie Elliott evening it up for the Pies soon after, Tom Hawkins and Cameron put the game beyond doubt.

Originally published as ‘Disgrace’: Crowd’s savage reaction in Joel Selwood’s historic game