‘Hard to comprehend’: Footy world crushed by Adam Selwood’s death
Just three months after his twin brother’s death, Adam Selwood’s passing has left the AFL world struggling to understand.
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A devastated footy world has reacted with shock and sadness to Adam Selwood’s death on Saturday.
Just three months after the funeral for his twin brother Troy, the death of 41-year-old Adam has led to a fresh outpouring of grief as the AFL fraternity’s heart broke yet again for the Selwood family.
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Just after midday AEST on Saturday, Adam’s wife Fiona and the Selwood family confirmed the crushing news in a statement released via the AFL.
Barely an hour later, Collingwood’s clash with Adelaide commenced at the MCG as football tried to find a way to carry on under the weight of an enormous burden.
A father to two young children and the forwards coach with the Magpies, Adam’s colleagues at Collingwood and the greater AFL landscape were struggling to comprehend the news.
Watch Craig McRae’s interview in the video player above
Fox Footy did its best to report on the news at halftime of the Collingwood match.
“This is devastating, the football world is in mourning today with the news former West Coast Eagle Adam Selwood has passed away in Perth today,” Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark began.
“It’s hard to comprehend the pain really his family would be feeling this morning after the death of his twin brother Troy only three months ago in February.
“He’s being remembered today as an incredibly selfless footballer, tough and courageous, disciplined, so team orientated in his tagging roles.
“He did it for the team and above all, just an incredibly popular teammate. He’s going to be sorely missed.”
The 53rd pick in the 2002 AFL Draft, Selwood played 187 games for West Coast, including the 2006 premiership, and also represented Australia in the International Rules series before moving into a variety of AFL and AFLW roles.
Players from Geelong and the GWS Giants are among those wearing black armbands for their matches on Saturday, while the Eagles will hold a tribute to Selwood at Sunday’s match against St Kilda.
Cameron Mooney, a close friend of the Selwood family who won two premierships alongside Joel Selwood with the Cats, struggled with his emotions in his boundary rider role at the MCG.
“Look obviously found out the news this morning, along with yourselves,” Mooney said with his voice breaking.
“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 love.
“So to hear the news this morning, yeah absolutely tragic, and it was only three months ago that we buried Troy.
“Obviously just want to send all my condolences and love to a family that I absolutely love and adore and to a teammate (in Joel) I got to play alongside with in a couple of premierships and just let you know that we’re all thinking of you guys and we love you and all the best.”
Mooney then interviewed Pies coach Craig McRae following their 10-point win over the Crows.
A clearly emotional McRae said “there’s a lot going on” before managing to answer questions about the game and the performance of some of his players.
When Mooney asked McRae about Collingwood being “a big family club”, it got too much for the premiership-winning coach, who managed to utter a few more words before he had to cut the interview short, walking away with tears in his eyes.
McRae spoke about the situation again in his post-match press conference, with the club opting not to talk to the players about it until after the match.
“It’s horrible. There’s such sadness, so we protected the players, thinking that might have been the right thing. I don’t know if it was,” he said.
“We told the whole club right after the game, the sadness. I just want to send my love to the Selwood family. Thanks guys.”
In what is usually such a competitive environment, AFL clubs across the land took to social media to express their support for the Selwood family.
Geelong’s official account tweeted: “The Geelong Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Adam Selwood. 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.”
The Western Bulldogs wrote on X: “Vale Adam Selwood. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Fiona and the Selwood family at this devastating time. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him.”
West Coast said: “We are mourning the heartbreaking loss of 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood. Our deepest sympathies are with the Selwood family, his teammates and loved ones.”
GWS offered: “The Giants will wear black armbands this afternoon in honour of Adam Selwood. Our deepest condolences are with the Selwood family, his former teammates and all those who knew him.”
Many others were trying to find the words to summarise how they were feeling.
Rhett Bartlett, a Richmond historian and son of Tigers legend Kevin, tweeted: “Simply too sad for words. Farewell Adam Selwood.”
3AW’s Neil Mitchell offered: “A second Selwood brother dead. So tragic and such a decent family. So, so sad.”
Channel 7 Perth reporter Ryan Daniels wrote: “Don’t have the words to write about Adam Selwood. Heartbreaking. 3 months after his twin, his best mate, Troy. Awful, awful.”
Broadcaster Glenn Mitchell said: “At a loss for words. Thoughts with the Selwood family at a time of unfathomable grief.”
A West Coast fan and former podcaster who will attend Sunday’s game wrote: “Eagles fans, please join us tomorrow for a minute of applause in memory of Adam Selwood. Third quarter, seventh minute, for our #37.”
All four Selwood brothers played in the AFL, with Joel a Geelong great and Scott a former midfielder with the Eagles and Cats.
Originally published as ‘Hard to comprehend’: Footy world crushed by Adam Selwood’s death
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