Troy Selwood farewelled in funeral at Kardinia Park by family, including brothers Joel, Adam and Scott

Former Brisbane Lions player Troy Selwood's memorial service was held at the Geelong Cats' AFL home ground, with his brothers Adam, Scott, and Joel delivering eulogies in an emotional ceremony. Troy passed away last week at the age of 40, and the service was held at Kardinia Park for the former player, drawing a large crowd to celebrate his life and legacy.

Scott joked that the crowd gathered at the oval was "more than what the Suns get for a home final, I would have thought." It was a lighthearted moment in what was otherwise a heartbreaking ceremony, where Troy's parents, Mary and Bryce, read a poem and a prayer, and his three younger brothers also spoke, sharing cherished memories and personal anecdotes.

Twin brother Adam spoke first about their brotherhood, describing Troy, who was 18 minutes older, as his "leader." He stated, "Having identical twins is both a rare privilege and a deeply complex relationship. Twins are more than just siblings; they are lifelong companions, built-in best friends, someone who understands you in a way that no one else ever possibly could."

Adam continued, "Troy was more than just my brother; he was my mirror, my fiercest competitor, my greatest ally, and the only person who ever truly knew what I was always thinking. The connection we shared shaped both of us, and losing him has left a gaping hole in my life. But over time, I know it will be filled with another presence that is just as special to me, as I continue through life as his twin brother," reflecting on the profound impact Troy had on his life and the enduring bond they shared.

Scott, after his jab at the Gold Coast Suns, spoke about Troy's prowess as an annoying tagger, including a story about how the family group chat lit up when Troy received Brownlow votes in a game against Geelong, with Joel adamant the award should have gone to him. He also mentioned that West Coast Eagles teammate Daniel Kerr disliked being tagged by the elder Selwood brother, highlighting Troy's effectiveness on the field.

Scott said, "Daniel would get the yips at the thought of Troy tagging him. He just couldn't work him out." Geelong legend Joel was the last to speak on the ground where he played 16 seasons for the Cats, winning four premierships. He said Troy was often the person he would go to for advice to improve his speeches: "It always made it better; I already miss you, brother," acknowledging Troy's impact on his life both on and off the field.

Joel spoke about the "quick" 90-minute phone calls he shared with Troy and stated that the only thing he loved more than football was his family—his parents, brothers, and young children, Tom and Sadie. Joel said, "As a family, we sit here in pain but also proud of the time that Troy invested in people over the years," emphasizing the importance of family and Troy's dedication to those he cared about.

Joel continued, "He went through some really tough things in his life. Some things he went through, and he found ways to deal with it. But sadly, there were other things that, no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't quite get on top of. And he did try; he tried so bloody hard. He fought for Mum and Dad, for his kids, for his brothers, for his friends, and for others who are going through the same battles he was. He fought for all of us. He wanted to keep fighting, as he had done his whole life, but in the end, he just couldn't lift his arms to fight back," painting a picture of Troy's resilience and the challenges he faced.

Troy played 75 games for the Lions over six seasons from 2005 to 2010, and many of his Brisbane teammates, including Jonathan Brown, Alastair Lynch, and Jason Akermanis, also attended the memorial service. Representatives from Collingwood and Geelong, where Troy Selwood had worked in football departments in recent years, were also in attendance, including Gary Ablett Jr, Scott Pendlebury, Cameron Ling, Darcy Moore, Jimmy Bartel, and Patrick Dangerfield, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact he had on the AFL community.

The crowd made its way onto the field to do a lap of honor before Troy was laid to rest. The Selwood family requested that, in lieu of gifts, people make donations to mental health advocacy groups such as the Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, and Beyond Blue, encouraging support for causes that were important to Troy and his family.