Footy great Joel Selwood has shared a touching tribute to his brother Adam who tragically died over the weekend, aged 41.
The Geelong great took to Instagram to publish a series of pictures of himself and Adam and his brother Scott.
He captioned the post ‘Rest up, love you brother. Look after each other.’
It comes just three months after his identical twin brother, Troy, also sadly passed away.
The Selwoods are widely regarded as one of the most celebrated families in the sport with the four brothers, Joel, Adam, Troy and Scott, each enjoying distinguished careers in the sport.
But the news of Adam’s passing has rocked the footy community, with tributes flooding in this week for the West Coast Eagles great.
Joel Selwood (right) has paid tribute to his brother Adam (left) after his tragic passing, aged 41, posting several pictures of he and his brother on Instagram
Tributes have been pouring in forAdam pictured (centre) standing in the changing rooms after watching his brothers Scott (left) and Joel (right, No 14) play for Geelong,
Joel (left) also shared an image of he Adam (centre) and Scott (right) enjoying a glass of wine
Adam made 187 appearances for the Eagles during his playing career and played a key role in helping the club win the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
He joined the footy club in the 2002 National Draft and would enjoy a 10-year career in footy’s top flight competition, mostly playing as a tagger, before hanging up his boots in 2013.
This weekend, the Eagles also paid tribute to Adam ahead of their 28-point victory against St Kilda. The club held a minute’s silence while players wore black arm bands in memory for the former Eagle. The club also displayed an image of Adam wearing a yellow and blue Eagles guernsey, with the words ‘Vale Adam Selwood’.
Over the weekend, his wife Fiona also shared a statement, saying: ‘We are heartbroken by the passing of Adam earlier today. Words cannot express the grief and sadness we feel.
‘Adam was a loving husband, and an incredible father to Lenny and Billie. We are devastated to lose such a wonderful husband, father, son and brother.
‘We will miss Adam deeply — his spirit, his kindness, and the joy he brought to every room. His determination, the lessons he shared, and his infectious personality will stay with us always.
‘Adam had a unique ability to make people feel special, and our family was lucky to experience that every day.
Earlier this year, Adam had led the tributes for his twin brother Troy, at his memorial service at the Geelong’s GMHBA service.
Joel took to Instagram to write: ‘Rest up, love you brother. Look after each other’
Adam spent 18 years working and playing for the West Coast. After hanging up his boots in 2013, he’d go on to head up the club’s AFLW side
Joel (right) had also issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to his brother Troy (left), Adam’s twin brother, who died in February
He described his brother as ‘full of life, full of love, full of wisdom beyond his years.’
‘Having an identical twin is a both a rare privilege and wonderfully complex,’ he said.
‘A twin is more than a sibling. They are a constant presence, a built-in mate.
‘He was my mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest ally and the one person who knew what I was always thinking.’
After his retirement in 2013, Adam would continue to work in football taking up a role as a development coach with the West Coast.
He’d later become the inaugural head of the Eagels women’s footy side and was pivotal in bringing key AFLW players to the club.
He is a life member of the footy club, having spent 18 years with the team, with Eagles legend John Worsfold remembering Selwood over the weekend.
‘I had the honour of working with Adam for seven years,’ Simpson told Fox Sports.
The Selwood family are reverred as one of the most iconic families in the sport (pictured L-R: Scott Selwood, Bryce Selwood, Brit Selwood, Joel Selwood, Maree Selwood, Troy Selwood, Adam Selwood)
As a player Adam made 187 appearances for the West Coast between 2003 and 2013
‘He started as a development coach in 2014 (after his playing career). He was a fantastic clubman, loyal father and husband. He’s going to be sorely missed.
‘The West Coast community along with the rest of the AFL is really in mourning today.’
Another footy great, Xavier Ellis, has opened up on a phone call he had with Joel this weekend, admitting his devastation
‘Calling Joel over the weekend, just hearing his voice break. You know that “bulletproof” Joel Selwood, he’s not,’ Ellis said to Perth’s Triple M Breakfast.
‘Mental health doesn’t discriminate. Targeting men and young men. It’s a time now where [mental health charity] R U OK DAY, I think it’s deeper than that.’
Ellis subsequently urged others to not only check on their mates but to keep pestering friends and make deeper inquiries into the wellbeing of those who might be struggling.
‘It’s so easy to deflect a question: “Are you OK?” It’s time to grab a scalpel and really dissect the person you’re asking.
‘You’d rather be a persistent pain in the arse than a shallow arse who’s just moved on and you’ve ticked the box.
Former Hawthorn and West Coast star Xavier Ellis (pictured) has opened up on the phone call he had with Joel this weekend, and has called on people to look out for eachother
‘So if you have got someone you’re concerned about, it is hard, but you’ve got to grab that life jacket and jump in the water with them because they’re drowning inside.
‘I guarantee there’s someone in your friendship group who is in a way of struggle.
‘This is targeting men but there are also ladies in this.
‘But, as I’ve said, it’s time to get the scalpel and really dive into this, take the deep dive with your friends, because I’ve just sat there yesterday and saw the Selwoods.
‘And the devastation between those brothers who I call my closest friends, Bryce and Maree… It’s tragic… It’s a thing no one should have to live through.’
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