AFL great Joel Selwood has revealed how a secret match-day tribute by the Brisbane Lions for his late brother Troy melted his family’s hearts.
The Lions’ gesture was intended to lift the spirits of the Selwood family a year after the sudden deaths of twins Adam and Troy last year which devastated the AFL community.
Troy played 75 matches for the Lions between 2003-10.
Geelong great Joel, his brother Scott and their parents were surprised to be invited by Lions coach Chris Fagan and football manager Danny Daly to a private catch-up just hours before the Lions clash against the Cats in Geelong in July which Brisbane won by 22 points.
“It was a dream come true for Troy to be draft pick No 19 to the Lions,’’ said Joel, who will try a different sport when he lines up with the likes of Matt Hayden, Usman Khawaja and Ash Barty for the inaugural T20 Gold Clash cricket match in Cairns on November 22.
“He was a Fitzroy supporter growing up. So he went and joined the heroes who he looked up to and just loved his time in Brisbane. He made many friends up here and the club was great for him.
“We got a lovely gift from Chris Fagan, Danny Daly and the leadership group. It was an old (Lions) jumper which Troy had signed back in that day – it was beautiful to receive it.
“They still recognise him as a true Brisbane player. The thing is it was more than just the handover of a jersey. It was only four or five hours before the game.
“I knew the position the players were in but Harris Andrews and Josh Dunkley not only came along but they sat in a room for an hour or so with my parents and (brother) Scott. That was really nice of them to do that. Credit to those two guys.
“We may have brought them good luck because the Lions ran away with it that night. Chris and Danny Daly are very special. I reckon Daly’s one that a lot of clubs would love to get their hands on.’’
Asked how he and his family were coping, Selwood said: “I mean we are ok. We’re broken-hearted. We will live sad daily but yeah, we will find a way.
“It was devastating obviously, the year we had in 2025 but I have a little one-year-old sitting next to me with a stinky nappy so I have to move on pretty quick. It’s a pretty good medicine that life goes on.’’
Selwood will be a key drawcard for the Gold Clash event which, after being trialled successfully in New Zealand, is being held in Australia for the first time though he has modest expectations of his cricket ability.
“I love the cricketers because they tell the best stories. There are some big characters involved. I played mainly backyard cricket with mates so hopefully the side won’t be relying on me.’’
The Lions face Adelaide in a home final at the Gabba on Saturday with Selwood believing the team’s leaders must lift in the wake of a flat performance in a shock loss to Sydney.
“The Lions are still a sleeping giant but if they play like they did on the weekend they won’t be part of it any more. I expect them to wake up. Mainly the leaders have to lift. They got caught on the back foot against Sydney.’’
Originally published as Joel Selwood reveals Brisbane’s touching tribute to his late brother Troy that melted his family’s hearts