Past and current AFL players have joined family and friends to farewell Adam Selwood at West Coast’s headquarters in Perth.
Former players Eagles Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Will Schofield and Selwood’s 2006 premiership teammates David Wirrpanda, Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and Chad Fletcher as well as Geelong’s Tom Hawkins were among the mourners.
Mourners at Adam Selwood’s memorial included Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Tom Hawkins.Credit: Getty
Eagles jumpers dotted the crowd as they gathered on a clear but crisp Perth day.
Adam Selwood, 41, died suddenly on May 17, three months after the death of his twin brother Troy.
Their deaths promoted an outpouring of grief in the AFL, especially because of their family’s deep connections throughout the league. The twins both had roles at AFL clubs after their playing days ended, while their younger brothers Joel and Scott also played at the highest level.
The double tragedy also threw a renewed focus on the mental health of players past and present.
The Selwood family requested privacy for Adam’s memorial following a more public service for Troy at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium in February.
Before his death, Adam was planning to run a half-marathon in Troy’s memory. But his death came before the event last Sunday, prompting some friends and former teammates to run in his place to continue his efforts to raise money for suicide prevention charity Zero2Hero. Staff from the charity were also among those at Wednesday’s memeorial service.
A disciplined role player, Adam played 187 games for West Coast, including the 2006 premiership.
He was taken by the Eagles from the Bendigo Pioneers with pick 53 in the 2002 national draft, while Troy landed at the Brisbane Lions with an earlier pick (19) in the same draft.
Whereas the Lions were in the midst of a golden era, the Eagles were an emerging team, meaning Adam made his senior debut in 2003 two years before his twin.
His younger brothers Joel (2007) and Scott (2008) joined the AFL in the following two seasons.
When Troy’s 75 games for the Lions are added to Joel’s 355 at Geelong and Scott’s 169 at West Coast and Geelong, the family boasts an AFL record of 786 for most combined games by siblings.
Adam Selwood is survived by his wife Fiona and their two children Lenny and Billie.
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