AFL Community Shaken by the Devastating Loss of Troy Selwood on a Heartbreaking Day for the Game

The Selwood family is in grief following the tragic passing of Troy, the former Brisbane AFL player, who died on Tuesday.

Troy, aged 40, was the twin brother of Adam and the elder sibling to Joel and Scott Selwood.

He made 75 appearances for the Brisbane Lions between 2003 and 2010.

Victoria Police mentioned that a report would be prepared for the coroner after Troy’s death, which is currently “not being treated as suspicious”.

“We are utterly heartbroken at the passing of our son, brother and father, Troy,” said the Selwood family through the AFL.

“Our love for Troy is beyond words. He was an immensely cherished and loving member of our family.

“Throughout his life, Troy brought joy and brightness to everyone who crossed his path. He was a devoted son to Maree and Bryce, a caring brother to Adam, Joel and Scott, and a loving father to his beautiful children, Tom and Sadie.

“We will miss Troy’s courage, his wit, his profound insights, and his kindness and empathy.

“Troy had an incredible spirit and was deeply committed to uplifting the lives of others.

“We are thankful to everyone who supported Troy throughout his journey, and we understand that his many friends, teammates, and colleagues will feel his loss profoundly.

“Troy accomplished many significant milestones in his life, from being a young student to his journey as an AFL player, to aiding young players in their pursuit of AFL dreams, and his recent role at Geelong Grammar School, where he made a lasting impact on countless lives.

“We are touched by all those who will share their stories of Troy, and we appreciate your kind support.”

The news of Selwood’s untimely passing sent shockwaves throughout the AFL community, with tributes flooding in on Tuesday afternoon.

Tony Wilson, who collaborated with the Selwood siblings on a book series entitled “The Selwood Boys,” labelled Troy’s death as “a tragic disaster”.

After concluding his tenure with the Lions, Selwood returned to Geelong and captained the VFL team to a premiership victory in 2012.

Following his playing career, Selwood also contributed to Geelong’s coaching staff, where his brother Joel is regarded as a club icon.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Troy’s passing. It has profoundly affected many current and former players as well as staff members,” expressed Cats CEO Steve Hocking in an official statement.

“Troy was known for his vibrant spirit and warmth, always showing a genuine interest in others. He was passionate about nurturing young talent and facilitating their aspirations in elite football.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Troy’s family, children, and friends on behalf of the Geelong Football Club.”

He also had a brief stint at Collingwood and served as the head of football and sports performance at the esteemed Geelong Grammar School.

On Tuesday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also expressed his heartfelt condolences.

“On behalf of the AFL, our thoughts are firmly with the entire Selwood family and the broader football community in light of Troy Selwood’s tragic passing,” Dillon conveyed.

“Troy was a remarkable supporter of AFL talent pathways, both in his role as a club recruiter and more recently at Geelong Grammar.

“He consistently prioritised the needs of young players, fostering environments that allowed them to express themselves.

“Troy brought an infectious positivity, humour, and compassion to the recruitment and talent development process and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to Joel, Adam, Scott, Bryce, Maree, and the entire Selwood family, along with the staff and students at Geelong Grammar and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him within the football community.”

– Tony Shaw, a Collingwood legend, remarked that it was “a severely sad day for the AFL community,” following the news that another respected member, Dale Tapping, who had held coaching positions at Essendon, Brisbane Lions, and Collingwood, also passed on the same day.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Dale’s wife Kellie, children Summer and Mason, and his extended family and friends,” the AFL stated in a public notice.

If you or someone you know is in need of urgent support, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. In case of an emergency, please call 000.