Joel Selwood really is a special human.
In one of grand final day’s most heartwarming moments, the premiership-winning Cats skipper brought club water boy Sam Moorfort onto the ground post-match to involve him in the celebrations.
And now it’s been revealed that Selwood rang the mum of Sam, who has Down syndrome, while on the ground to tell her he was looking after Sam and that he’d be dropped home to Geelong later.
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Sam and his parents, Dale and Lindy, appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise to open up on the magical post-match scenes after Geelong’s win over Sydney.
“It was absolutely awesome,” Dale revealed. “We couldn’t believe it, we’d lost him (Sam), he said: ‘I’m going down to the fence.’
“Lindy and I couldn’t spot where he was because the crowd was so big. Next thing we see him pop up out on the ground. We didn’t see him again until we got back to Geelong that night.
“Joel actually rang Lindy out on the ground on Sam’s phone to let her know that he was OK and that he’ll drop him back in Geelong (later).”
Lindy said of Selwood: “That’s the person he is. It was so special, it’s more than he (Sam) could’ve dreamt of. They’ve just included him all along the way, it’s just the best club.”
Selwood’s touching act to Sam further adds to his dazzling legacy, regardless of whether or not the four-time premiership veteran extends his glittering career into 2023 as he weighs up his future.
If Saturday was the 34-year old’s last game and final moments on an AFL field, it’d be a fair way to go out.
Sam admitted Selwood is his favourites Cats player — although conceded he has many favourites — when reflecting on Saturday’s joyous scenes.
“It’s amazing, I’m very happy and so proud of them,” he said.
“The Geelong Football Club is an amazing football club, it’s a dream come true with Joel and all the boys. I’m so proud.”
Port Adelaide president and Sunrise host David Koch heaped further praise on Selwood when summing up his noble act.
“So let me get this right … he’s (Selwood) the captain of a grand final winning team. He goes over to Sam, pulls him out of the crowd, then rings Sam’s mum to say: ‘It’s OK, I’ve got him, I’ll look after him and I’ll drop him home in Geelong tonight’,” he said.
“For a bloke to d0 that after winning a grand final is just extraordinary and such a reflection of the bloke. That sums him up.”
