Former West Coast Player Adam Selwood Dies Aged 41
The Australian football community is in mourning following the death of Adam Selwood, the former West Coast Eagles player, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 41. Selwood, a premiership star and beloved teammate, died in Perth just three months after the death of his identical twin brother, Troy Selwood.
According to a statement released by the Selwood family via the AFL, Adam Selwood was a "loving husband, and an incredible father to Lenny and Billie." The family described him as a person with a unique ability to make people feel special, and that his spirit, kindness, and infectious personality will be deeply missed. "We are heartbroken by the passing of Adam earlier today," the family said. "Words cannot express the grief and sadness we feel."
Adam Selwood played 187 games for West Coast, including the 2006 premiership, before retiring from football in 2013. He was a highly respected player and teammate, known for his determination and joy for the game. As reported by The Guardian, Selwood’s death has sent shockwaves through the football community, with many of his former teammates and colleagues paying tribute to his memory.
The Selwood family is part of the AFL’s famous Selwood clan, with Adam and Troy being brothers of Geelong champion Joel Selwood and former Eagles and Cats midfielder Scott Selwood. Troy Selwood, who played 75 games for the Brisbane Lions, died in February and was remembered by Adam as a "built-in best mate" at his funeral. At Troy’s memorial service, Adam delivered a eulogy, which he described as the "hardest thing" he had ever had to do.
In his eulogy, Adam spoke about the unique bond he shared with his twin brother, saying, "Having an identical twin is both a rare privilege and wonderfully complex. A twin is more than a sibling. They are a constant presence, a built-in best mate and someone who understands you in a way that no-one ever could." Adam also described Troy as his "mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest ally and the one person that knew what I was always thinking."
The AFL community has come together to pay tribute to Adam Selwood, with West Coast’s 2006 premiership coach and current head of football John Worsfold leading the condolences. "Adam was a great teammate who loved the club and loved his footy," Worsfold said in a statement. "He always put his mates and team first, and he would be saying that now. He would be wanting to see our Club grow and return to having on-field success once again."
The AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillon, also paid tribute to Adam Selwood, saying, "On behalf of the AFL and all of our clubs, I want to send our love to his wife Fiona and their two children, to Maree and Bryce Selwood, Joel and Scott, and their families, and all of Adam’s many friends and colleagues and past team mates at West Coast and across football."
Adam Selwood’s contribution to the sport extends beyond his playing career. He joined the Eagles’ coaching ranks after his retirement as a player, working with the club’s AFL and AFLW teams. Selwood was also West Coast’s inaugural head of female football, charged with setting up the club’s AFLW team.
West Coast will pay tribute to Adam Selwood at their home game against St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Sunday. The club will honour his memory, and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched throughout his career and beyond.
As reported by The Guardian, Scott Selwood was due to be at the MCG on Saturday as an assistant to Collingwood coach Craig McRae, but was granted personal leave following the news of his brother’s passing. Our thoughts are with the Selwood family during this difficult time.
Source: The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/17/former-west-coast-player-adam-selwood-dies-months-after-twin-brothers-death
