Joel Selwood

Joel Anthony Selwood (born 26 May 1988) is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A midfielder and , Selwood was part of the Cats' premiership-winning team in 2007. He is the only player to have received the AFL Rising Star Award and a AFL Premiership medallion in the same year.

After starting out in athletics, Selwood began playing football and debuted in the TAC Cup as a bottom-aged player. There, he became a stand-out performer in the junior league, winning Most Valuable Player awards at both state and international levels, captaining Australia in the International Rules Series, and gaining selection in both the All-Australian and TAC Cup Team of the Year sides. Although a knee injury forced him to sit out most of his final year of junior football, Selwood was drafted by Geelong with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 AFL Draft. Selwood made his AFL debut in 2007, winning the AFL Rising Star Award, AFLPA Best First Year Player Award and an AFL Premiership medallion with Geelong.

Off the field, he has acted as an ambassador for the Seeing Eye Dogs Australia organisation alongside his brothers, Adam, Troy, and Scott, who each play in the AFL for West Coast, Brisbane, and West Coast, respectively.

Early life

Joel Selwood was born to Bryce and Maree Selwood in the country town of Bendigo, Victoria. Although raised in a sports-gifted family—mother Maree was a top runner and tennis player, whilst elder twins Adam and Troy were both identified as talented footballers right from their junior days—Joel faced physical hurdles from a young age. As a 2-year-old, he was forced to wear splints on his leg to help overcome a walking disability.

Unlike his brothers, Selwood displayed gifts as an athlete from an early age. He excelled as the state hurdling champion from his under-10s days through to the under-15s; in one year holding every running and jumping record the Bendigo Sports Centre had, bar the 100 metres sprint. Growing up alongside his elder brothers, Joel was familiar in playing with older, bigger teammates and opponents. By the time he was 8-years-old, he had played his first competitive game of football, against children four years his senior, and proceeded to kick three goals as a half forward.

Selwood played his junior football with the Sandhurst Football Club until, aged 17, he was chosen to play for the Bendigo Pioneers in the elite TAC Cup competition. Although his age deemed him ineligible for the 2005 AFL Draft, Selwood's accomplishments during the year led to AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan rating him "the best 17-year-old in Australia". Selwood garnered an impressive array of accolades and honours as a bottom-aged player, winning mid-year State honours for Victoria Country in the AFL National Championships, with his performances in the championship games earning him end-of-year All-Australian honours and the Most Valuable Player award for Victoria Country. In addition, he was named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year, awarded a scholarship within the prestigious AIS-AFL Academy, and subsequently captained his elder teammates in the annual under 18s International Rules Series in Ireland. His performances in Ireland earned him the Ron Barassi Medal, as the adjudicated Most Valuable Player of the tour.

Returning in 2006 with the Pioneers, Selwood entered his final year of junior football as one of the top rated prospects in his age group. Selwood's achievements at the junior level were recognised by the AFL Player's Association early on, when he was awarded the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship as well as the AFL Life Members Education Fund Award. Rewarded with the captaincy of Bendigo for his final season, Selwood again won mid-year State honours for Victoria Country. However, a knee injury sustained only six rounds into the competition forced him to undergo surgery—his fourth knee operation within two years—prematurely ending his season.

Career

2007: Debut

Selwood was drafted by the Geelong Football Club with their first selection, and the seventh pick overall, in the 2006 AFL Draft. Although many recruiting scouts viewed him as "the finest pure footballer in the draft" and a potential top pick, concern still surrounded his operated knee. Nonetheless, as the equal-highest ever draft pick for the Cats, Selwood made his debut in the opening round of the 2007 AFL Premiership Season and missed only four games during the home and away period.

Selwood's transition to the rigours of AFL football drew rave reviews throughout the footballing community, with Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews noting how "from [his] first game ... he looked like he had played 200 of them", while Geelong coach Mark Thompson labelled an 18 year old Selwood the best youngster to had come under his tutelage during his time at the club. From the beginning, Selwood showcased an ability to influence games: in just his fourth game, Selwood led his elder and more experienced teammates with an "inspiring" game of 25 disposals and nine tackles, earning him a AFL Rising Star Award nomination. Such was his performance that the coaching staff had a highlights package made to screen to the rest of the team during the match review later that week. Selwood's impact on the game as a first-year player prompted numerous comparisons to Chris Judd, who was similarly lauded for his instant success as an 18-year-old.

At the conclusion of the home and away period, Selwood's regular contributions coming off the bench saw him receive several individual accolades. Polling 44 out of a possible 45 votes, he was awarded the inaugural Ron Evans Medal as the winner of the AFL Rising Star Award. Selwood earned maximum votes from all but one of the judges, who nonetheless awarded him four out of a possible five. Selwood was also awarded the prestigious AFLPA Best First Year Player Award, winning with over 70% of all votes from his peers to become only the fourth player to complete a sweep of both the major awards for first-year players. Having helped the Cats finish first on the ladder and capture the McClelland Trophy, Selwood made his finals debut in the 2nd Qualifying Final against the Kangaroos at the MCG. In front of nearly 80,000 fans, Selwood amassed 22 disposals, five marks, five clearances, six inside 50s, five tackles, and five score assists, helping Geelong to a club finals record 106 point victory. Although Selwood struggled to contribute in the Preliminary Final against Collingwood a fortnight later, he returned to the MCG for the 2007 AFL Grand Final. Collecting 18 disposals, five marks, five clearances—the most of any Geelong player—seven inside 50s, four tackles, and an equal game-high four score assists, Selwood helped the Cats to a record 119 point win in the Grand Final against Port Adelaide. In winning his first premiership medallion, Selwood became the youngest premiership player in 10 years, at 19 years of age. He also became the first player to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in a Premiership side within the same season, making him one of the most accomplished first year players in league history to date. Selwood's debut year achievements saw him become the highest-paid first-year player in AFL history.

Selwood finished the season ranked first among all first-year players in several major statistical categories; including total possessions (405), disposals per game (19.3), total kicks (216), total handpasses (189), total marks (109), total tackles (94)—the most by any first-year player in AFL history— and tackles per game (4.5). His 23 score assists during the season also saw him finish the year ranked within the top ten in the league. Selwood added to his growing list of first-year honours at season's end with the Geelong Best First Year Player Award, a top 20 placing in the Club Champion award, and recognition among several media end-of-year sporting awards.

2008

Selwood continued to establish himself as a key player in the Geelong midfield during the 2008 AFL Season, helping the Cats compile a record-equaling 21-win season and secure the McClelland Trophy for the second successive year. In the process, Selwood also claimed the third-longest all-time winning streak by an individual player in VFL/AFL history, having won 25 games in succession before a mid-season loss to Collingwood. His standout season was rewarded when he was selected to play for Victoria in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match All-Star event. In gaining selection for the Victorian team, Selwood became the youngest player to represent "The Big V" in more than 12 years, at 19 years of age. In addition, he was selected to the preliminary 2008 All-Australian squad, placed sixth for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA Most Valuable Player, and finished third in voting for the Robert Rose Award as the AFLPA Most Courageous Player. Selwood also polled 19 votes in the Brownlow Medal to finish fifth overall and second amongst all Geelong players. The Cats qualified for the finals series and progressed to the Grand Final for the second consecutive year, but were eventually defeated by Hawthorn. Selwood's performance, during which he gathered 29 disposals—including a team-high nine contested possessions—six marks, six tackles, and six inside 50s, was recognised as he finished fourth in Norm Smith Medal voting.

Selwood's year, during which he averaged more than 25 disposals, 4 marks, and 4 tackles per game, was also rewarded with a top 5 finishing in the Carji Greeves Medal. He finished the season ranked within the top ten in the league for total possessions (613), disposals per game (25.5), and total handballs (327). His total of 63 free kicks earned during the season was also the most ever recorded by a player in AFL history, breaking the previous mark of 54 set by Luke Darcy five years earlier.

With his rookie contract due to expire, concern mounted during the year over Geelong's ability to retain Selwood beyond the season. With almost half of their premiership-winning list out of contract, the Cats could only offer contracts paying significantly less than available elsewhere. However, Selwood committed to a new two-year deal with the club, citing "club success and future opportunities" as an overriding reason in accepting the pay cut.

Player profile

Selwood is primarily regarded as an inside midfielder, where he is noted for his consistent physical approach to contests, ability to find space out on the field, and aptitude for winning the football. AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews has complimented Selwood as being "already the best wet-weather player in the game", while teammates Joel Corey and Cameron Ling have also acknowledged his maturity and regard as one of the most physical players in the game. Two-time Most Courageous Player Award winner Jonathan Brown has also praised Selwood for his physical and courageous approach to winning the football, describing him as "one of the blokes (all players) within the AFL love watching". Selwood himself has made note of his career effort to "work really hard on the basics", and that despite his admission of "not (being) the fastest player, or most skillful" his hard running ability, tackling and one percent plays are essential elements to his overall game. His leadership ability has often been praised since his arrival at the club, leading to predictions of a future post as club captain.

Selwood's all-around ability to contribute as an attacking inside or outside midfielder has been highlighted by his regular ranking among the top five at Geelong for total disposals, clearances, first possessions, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, tackles, inside 50s, and score assists during his first two seasons at the club.

Although his kicking skills statistically carry an average efficiency of 76%, his decision-making ability is often used to counteract his productivity with the football. His lack of natural leg speed, however, is considered one of his more notable weaknesses.

Statistics

Statistics are correct as of 29 September 2008 (2008 Grand Final)

Honours

• Team
• AFL Premiership with Geelong: 2007
• AFL McClelland Trophy with Geelong: 2007, 2008

• Individual
• AFL Rising Star Award: 2007
• AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2007
• Geelong F.C. Best First Year Player: 2007
• Fox Sports Best First Year AFL Player: 2007
• TEN Victorian Sports Star of the Year Award: 2007
• Victorian Team representative honours in AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match: 2008

• Other achievements
• Second-youngest player in VFL/AFL history to win a Premiership (19 years, 126 days)
• Only player in VFL/AFL history to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in an AFL Premiership within the same year
• First Geelong player to win the AFL Rising Star Award
• Most free kicks ever received in a single season by a player (63 free kicks)
• Most tackles ever in a season by a first-year player (92 tackles)
• Third-longest all-time streak for most consecutive victories by an AFL player (25 wins)

Personal life

Selwood is the third of four children born to Bryce and Maree Selwood. He has three brothers, all listed with AFL clubs; two older brothers, the twins Adam (playing with West Coast) and Troy (Brisbane) and a younger brother, Scott (West Coast). Selwood's mother, Maree, was awarded the 2005 AFLPA Mother of the Year Award for her contribution to football through each of her sons. Selwood is also a descendant of the three Crapper brothers, each of whom played VFL football in the 1930s and are grand-uncles to Selwood's mother Maree.

Having won the NAB-sponsored AFL Rising Star award, Selwood has become actively involved in several promotions for the National Australia Bank. In addition to his ambassadorial role for NAB, Selwood has also appeared in several television advertisements for the bank. Along with his parents and brothers, Joel is also an ambassador for the Seeing Eye Dogs Association (SEDA) Organisation. Together with his ambassadorial role, Joel and his family sponsor pups, one named 'Selwood' in their family's honour, being trained as a Seeing Eye Dogs. SEDA have claimed that the wide-spread nature of the family around Australia, a result of the AFL draft which has seen Adam and Scott make their way west, Troy up north, and Joel remain south in Victoria, helps reflect their organisation's national coverage. Selwood is also an ambassador and inaugural member of the Sandhurst Football Club past players club initiative. In addition to his public ambassadorial role for the club, he is a regular speaker at club functions.

Selwood's early success on the field has also led to several endorsement and promotional deals with companies including Asics and Smith's. These have seen Selwood participate in promotional appearances alongside rugby league player Greg Inglis and several television advertisements with AFL Hall of Famer Peter Daicos. Selwood has also been featured in a special edition Monopoly AFL premiership gameboard, occupying Bow Street.

A life-long supporter of the Cats growing up in Bendigo, Selwood currently houses with a host family in Geelong, along with teammate Tom Hawkins.

See also

• List of Australian rules football families
• List of 2007 AFL debuts

Footnotes

References

• (2007). Geelong - The Greatest Team Of All. Docklands, Victoria: Geoff Slattery Publishing Pty Ltd.
• (2007). Year of the Cat - The Inside Story. Geelong, Victoria: The Geelong Advertiser Pty Ltd.
• (2008). The Mission - The Inside Story of Geelong's 2007 AFL Premiership. Melbourne, Victoria: Weston Media and Communications.

External links

• August 2007 Interview with The Age