Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) players and fans have paid tribute to Adam Selwood, with the club’s clash against St Kilda at Optus Stadium set against a backdrop of grief and sadness.
Selwood passed away on Saturday, aged 41. His death came just months after the loss of twin brother Troy, with the football community in mourning.
Eagles players donned black armbands in memory of the 2006 premiership player, who made 187 appearances across 11 seasons at the club.
A packed Optus Stadium observed a minute’s silence in the moments leading up to bouncedown, with players linking arms on the field while the stadium’s big screens read “Vale, Adam Selwood”.
Selwood played the final games of his AFL career in 2013, alongside current Eagles veteran Jamie Cripps and assistant coach Luke Shuey.
Speaking before the game, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said it had been “a brutal 24 hours” for everyone at the club.
“I’ve worked in footy for a long time, and it’s one of the saddest days we’ve ever had,” McQualter said on Seven.
“Condolences to the Selwood family. We have a lot of our players who were influenced and impacted by Adam over his life.
“We just spoke about playing with his spirit today – the way that Adam was as a person. Hopefully we can do him proud.”
Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson said Selwood – who was also a part of the club’s AFLW program – would be missed.
“He started as a development coach in 2014, and he was a fantastic clubman and a loyal father and husband, and he’s going to be sorely missed,” Simpson said on Fox.
“The West Coast community, along with the rest of the AFL, are really in mourning today.”
West Coast will be known as Waalitj Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
