The Relentless Drive of Adam Selwood
Try picturing West Coast’s golden era in the 2000s and not thinking of Adam Selwood. You just can’t. His name sits quietly next to Judd, Cousins, and Kerr, but ask anyone from that team—he was the glue. Selwood played 187 matches for the Eagles across 11 seasons, balancing grit and smarts in a way that made him irreplaceable. Not many players can switch roles at a moment’s notice: half-back, tagger, inside runner—he did it all, usually without the fanfare. He wasn’t out there for headlines. He was all about the team.
His movement through the Eagles’ burst-heavy midfield, next to Brownlow medallists and Norm Smith winners, speaks volumes. He wasn’t just a passenger; he was the organizer, the player who did the ugly work, freeing up stars to shine. The 2006 premiership season drilled that home, with Selwood anchoring the side when matches turned into trench warfare. The club saw it too—he brought home the Chris Mainwaring Medal for best clubman, a nod to his unwavering dedication, both in the locker room and out on the field.
From Premiership Glory to Building the AFLW
But Selwood wanted his impact to last longer than a medal. When he retired in 2013, he stepped straight into shaping the club’s future. Becoming the head of female football, he was driving the Eagles’ AFLW program before it was even fashionable. Players remembered him most for the extra check-in, the honest chat, the sincere advice. He wanted every player to know they mattered, whether they were in the limelight or at the fringe.
His family is woven into football: brother Joel captained Geelong, Scott coaches at Collingwood, and Adam carried the same work ethic and humility as his siblings. Losing his identical twin Troy just three months ago shook the family, but their response to Adam’s passing says it all—they asked for space but made sure to honor the legacy he built on and off the field.
- Selwood’s time at the Eagles wasn’t only about stats; it shaped the club’s soul.
- His transition into the AFLW space blazed a trail for others, turning his competitiveness into meaningful mentorship.
- Coach John Worsfold called him ‘the ultimate Eagle’—a teammate first, the ideal clubman, someone who left every environment better than he found it.
Adam Selwood might not have been the loudest voice in the West Coast huddles, but the admiration pouring in from the club and fans shows something else: real leaders often speak loudest in how they support others, not just with their own moments of brilliance. He built a culture that keeps driving West Coast forward—and not many can say they’ve left that big a mark.
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