Mitch Duncan has sent his love and support to his former team-mate and good friend Joel Selwood after it was announced that his brother Adam had tragically passed away over the weekend.
The Selwoods have been left grieving the losses of two members of their family over the past three months, with Adam’s identical twin brother Troy also sadly passing away in February.
Tributes have since been pouring in for Adam, while many, including Duncan, have also issued messages of support to the Selwood family, following what’s been a horrible three-month period.
After Geelong’s 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) victory at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night, the Cats midfielder delivered an emotional message to Joel,
‘Missing me good mate Joely…’ Duncan said, pausing while appearing to be overcome with emotion.
He then let out a breath, before continuing, ‘Who has had a tough three months. Love you mate.’
Mitch Duncan (pictured) has sent his love and support to his former team-mate and good friend Joel Selwood after it was announced that his brother Adam had tragically passed
Joel Selwood (right) paid tribute to his brother Adam (left) on Wednesday after his tragic passing, aged 41
Speaking on the Cats’ playing group, the footy star opened up on how inseparable he and his team-mates are.
‘That’s what I’m talking about, it’s the connections that you make, you’re probably here more than when you are at home, so how can you not love people when you’re around them that much.’
Joel, a former Geelong captain who made 355 appearances for the club between 2007 and 2022, paid tribute to his late brother Adam on Instagram on Wednesday evening, publishing several pictures of himself and his brother.
He captioned the post ‘Rest up, love you brother. Look after each other.’
Joel had also paid tribute to his brother Troy back in February on the social media platform with a series of pictures.
Adam’s passing has rocked the AFL community, with many issuing their condolences to the Selwood family following his death.
He enjoyed a distinguished career in the AFL, making 187 appearances for the Eagles and played a key role in helping the club win the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
Selwood was hailed by Eagles great John Worsfold as ‘the ultimate team-mate’ after his passing.
Joel (right, wearing No 14) also posted a picture of he and his brothers Adam (centre) and Scott (left) in the dressing room after a Geelong match
Joel (left) also shared an image of he, Adam (centre) and Scott (right) enjoying a glass of wine
Duncan (right) and Joel Selwood (left) played together between 2010 and 2022
‘Adam was a great teammate who loved the club, loved his footy,’ he said.
‘We drafted him at 18 and watched him grow as a player and person. We got to know the Selwood family so well over the years, and they are such wonderful people who our hearts go out to more than anything.
‘As a player, Adam was the ultimate team man. He played whatever role was required.
‘He gave it 100 per cent and connected with everyone he was involved with.
‘He’s had a massive impact on our footy club.’
On Thursday, Geelong would go on to claim their seventh win of the season, with Bailey Smith starring against his former club to help the Cats hold on for a 14-point win in what was an instant AFL classic.
Max Holmes (33 disposals, eight clearances) and Jeremy Cameron (six goals) also starred for Geelong, and Shannon Neale kicked two crucial late goals in a career-best haul of five.
But Smith (33 touches, six clearances) was the central figure in front of a near-capacity crowd of 32,641 fans in his first clash with the Bulldogs since his high-profile trade move at the end of last year.
‘It was good, they didn’t go after me and I loved it. I’m so glad we beat them,’ Smith told Channel 7.
A series of cheeky barbs from both sides of the fence – first Smith, then Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and coach Luke Beveridge – lit the fuse for an explosive encounter.
Tension with another party boiled over before the bounce, when Beveridge clashed with Channel Seven commentator Kane Cornes in a heated confrontation on the boundary line.
Smith had 10 disposals in an entertaining first term, bettered only by Holmes (13), but it was the Bulldogs who led by three points at quarter-time.
Their lead didn’t last long.
Geelong seized control with six consecutive goals to open the second stanza, including three to Cameron, and led by as much as 33 points before half-time as they repeatedly punished the Bulldogs’ skill errors.
Holmes brought Cats fans to their feet in the third quarter with three bounces down the wing and a team-lifting goal on the run.
Two goals each to Buku Khamis and Matt Kennedy helped keep the Bulldogs within reach as they piled 7.4 to 5.1 in a free-scoring term.
Successive free kicks paid against Bulldogs ruckman Tim English gifted Cameron his sixth major.
But two late goals in the shadows of three-quarter time through Joel Freijah and Laitham Vandermeer got the Dogs back within 10 points at the final change.
Scores were level with less than seven minutes left before Neale struck two decisive late blows.
Smith and Tom Liberatore tangled late after the Cats midfielder ruffled James O’Donnell’s hair but there did not appear to be anything untoward in the exchange.
Liberatore (31 disposals, nine clearances) and Ed Richards (29 touches, 10 clearances, two goals) were huge in the Bulldogs’ second-half comeback.
Matt Kennedy (25 disposals, three goals) and Aaron Naughton (three goals) were also important.
Geelong’s win gave them a 7-4 record and was a fine way to celebrate stalwart Mitch Duncan’s 300th game, while the Bulldogs slipped to 6-5.
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