Joel Selwood won over the AFL’s hearts as the Geelong Cats skipper went out a champion, calling an end to his 355-game career after a fourth career premiership.
But more than his on-field exploits, the 34-year-old’s send off from the game last Saturday will long live in the memories of fans.
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The Cats captain was in tears well before the siren in the 81-point thumping of the Swans and he cemented himself as one of the great guys of footy by bringing others in to celebrate with him.
Selwood accepted his premiership medal from an Auskicker, giving him his boots and sharing a photo with the youngster, as well as bringing water boy Sammy Moorfoot onto the field to celebrate with the team.
It also came after he walked onto the field with Levi Ablett, the son of club legend and great mate Gary Ablett Jr.
But great mate and former Hawthorn and West Coast star turned Triple M Perth radio presenter Xavier Ellis has revealed the real Joel Selwood.
Selwood and Ellis’ Giants fan son Teddy have had a hilarious ongoing beef all season.
“I don’t like you so much Joel. You beat my Giants. I don’t like you Joel, you’re not being nice,” Teddy said.
“Why?” his dad asked.
“Because he beat my Giants,” Teddy replied.
Selwood responded to the video.
“Hey Ted, it’s Joel here — your Giants suck. Go the Cats! Go Cats!”
Teddy didn’t like that very much.
“You’re a d**k, Joel,” Teddy said.
“What?” Xavier said.
“You’re a d**k Joel,” Teddy confirmed.
Selwood: “Ted Ellis! Enough of that language. That’s disgusting — I’m going to tell your mum.”
Teddy went quiet as it seemed his younger brother Albie stepped in to ask for a video message of his own.
But Selwood only had eyes for Teddy.
“Ted, where’s me message back … Ya dog!” Selwood said.
“Bugger off,” came Teddy’s next message while he was wearing a Giants guernsey. “Bugger off Cats.”
Selwood: “What is that rubbish you’ve got on? That orange rubbish jumper. That’s disgusting.”
The barbs kept coming in the hilarious exchange as well.
“Hey Ted, it’s Joel here,” Selwood said. “Just checking in to see how your Giants are going. And please don’t hang around with Oli Shuey because he says naughty words. So, have a good day.”
Teddy: “Hey Joel, it’s me Ted. You’re a slow coach. Your Cats suck. Go the Giants!”
Selwood: “Teddy, just Joel again. Mate, got your message, if you keep speaking like that, you’ll end up in jail so just behave yourself okay.”
Selwood was the next to respond as well: “Ted, Joel here. How are you mate? Haven’t spoken for a while. Wondering how your Giants are going? Cats are playing in the Grand Final this weekend. Would you like to cheer them on or what are you going to do?
“Well, hope you’re well mate and say hi to your dad for me. Okay, bye for now.”
The exchange may just have won Teddy over.
Sitting with his dad, Teddy said: “The Cats are playing really good and I like them today.”
Xavier asked: “Who do you go for?”
Teddy: “The Giants but they lost.”
Xavier: “You going for the Cats on the weekend?”
Teddy: “Yes.”
Xavier: “Say good luck Joel …”
Teddy: “The Cats suck!”
Xavier laughed: “Oi, I told you not to say that.”
Selwood: “Ted Ellis, I’ve had about enough of you. It’s Joel Selwood here and I’d rather talk to Albie because Albie’s a good bloke. And Ted, I’m just not sure about you mate. You’ve got to get your stuff together. You can’t say Cats suck, they’re playing in the Grand Final this week. How can they suck when the Giants can’t even make it.”
But Selwood may finally have won as Teddy, wearing a Cats jersey, responded.
Teddy: “Joel, I’ll play for you every single day. Go the Cats! Go Cats!”
Selwood: “Teddy boy that’s what I’m talking about. Go the Cats! Go the Cats this weekend. Thanks mate, I knew you were a good bloke.”
History will show the Cats did indeed win the premiership and although unsurprising Selwood decided to go out a premiership winning captain, Ted was forlorn his sparring partner was giving it away.
Teddy: “Joel, why are you not going to play ever again? I love watching you play. Go Cats.”
Selwood: “Hey Ted, just Joel here. Just giving you a little message mate. Yeah no, I’m done, finished. Too old and too slow now. So time for me to just cruise and do what Ted does. And that’s about all I’ll be doing. But thanks for the message mate. Just as you got on board the Cats, I’m off. So … thanks mate, bye.”
But Teddy had one more message: “Don’t get fat like my dad.”
The six-time All-Australian will seemingly have no problem switching to his next stage of life after he and his wife Brit announced they were expecting their first child together after years of fertility issues.
Brit posted the news with a photo of her and Joel holding a small Geelong guernsey with Joel’s number 14 with dad written above it.
“Our dreams have come true,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Joel and I are grateful to be able to share that we have a little one coming into the world. We couldn’t do this announcement without acknowledging those who are struggling with infertility or loss.
“I know how much my heart would break every time I saw a pregnancy post and my heart truly goes out to you if that’s how you’re feeling right now. These past few years have changed me forever.
“For anyone who has lost hope right now, I’ve been there and I’m thinking of you, and I hope one day soon, you get your miracle.”
