Heartfelt Farewell: Cats Legend Troy Selwood Remembered at Funeral

Fev pays tribute to Troy Selwood | 01:54

Friends and family have farewelled AFL legend Troy Selwood in an affecting service at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.Troy’s twin brother Adam led the tributes for the 40-year-old father, described as “full of life, full of love, full of wisdom beyond his years”, while Cats champion Joel concluded the eulogy by saying, “Love you brother, speak soon.”

Adam, speaking before hundreds of mourners on Friday morning, told how Troy arrived into the world 18 minutes before him, and from the “very beginning he was the leader and I followed him”.

“Having an identical twin is both a rare privilege … they are a constant presence, a built-in mate,” he said.

“He was my mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest support and the one person who knew what I was always thinking.”

He said writing Troy’s eulogy had been the “hardest thing” he had ever had to do, but reflecting on their life together had “brought moments of comfort and moment of joy”.

“He was full of life, full of love, full of wisdom beyond his years,” he said.

“He loved looking after people.”

The AFL world was thrown into shock earlier this month following the sudden death of Troy at a Geelong home.

The former Brisbane Lions star was the No 19 pick for the club in the 2002 AFL draft and would go on to play 75 games for the team.

He also played for the Geelong Football Club in the VFL, captaining the team to a premiership in 2012.

After his retirement from the game, he joined the prestigious Geelong Grammar School as the head of football and sport performance.

Troy Selwood died at the age of 40. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied

His mother Maree, standing alongside her husband and Troy’s father Bryce, wept as she read out the poem “I forget to read the fine print”, which expresses the grief of parents on losing a child but also their enduring love and gratitude.

“I forgot to read the fine print, when I signed up to be your mom,” she read.

“I thought it would be hugs and smiles and quite a lot of fun.

“I didn’t see the bit that read of pain, loss, grief and despair.

“I didn’t know that you’d be gone, and that life would be unfair.

“But I am still your mother, I will be every day.

“If I had read the fine print, I would have signed up anyway.”

Maree Selwood is embraced during her son’s funeral.Source: Getty Images

Troy’s brother Scott said Troy loved Brisbane and being with the Lions.

“He loved the city, he loved the game, the people in it, he loved the joy it gave people,” he said.

“He loved to lifelong mates he made.”

The Selwood brothers embrace during Troy’s service. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Scott said Troy was shocked when the Lions picked him up because the team management had only interviewed him once.

But Scott said the Lions had later said to him one interview was all they needed.

Joel said the only thing Troy loved more than football was his family and he often spoke proudly of his son and daughter.

He reflected on what he might say to Troy if given the chance for one last phone call.

Joel Selwood delivers his eulogy during brother Troy Selwood’s funeral.Source: Getty Images

“If his number came up this afternoon, I was thinking about what I would say,” Selwood said.

“And I think I would answer and say what he said to me, ‘Hey brother’, just a quick one.

“And I’d follow with, ‘Troy, I just wanted to know how much you were loved. And I want to thank you for everything. Thanks for the support and the help and the guidance over the years. I’m sorry you had to struggle so hard, but thank you for fighting as long as you did. I want you to know you were really loved and everyone wanted you to be happy’.

“I hope you’re in a good spot now, I hope you and Vic are together, smiling, telling stories, laughing, and having fun. Love you brother, speak soon.”

Troy was a beloved member of Geelong Grammar and the school’s principal, Rebecca Cody, spoke of the positive impact he’d had on the school staff and students.

At the end of the service, mourners lined up along the boundary line to say their final farewell to Troy as his coffin was taken away.