Geelong champion Joel Selwood kept his decision to retire from teammates so they could maintain focus in their AFL premiership pursuit, coach Chris Scott has revealed.
The Cats were ultimately successful, thrashing Sydney in last Saturday’s grand final to give Selwood the perfect send-off.
The 34-year-old kicked a fairytale goal during the last quarter, sparking an explosion of emotion that indicated his 355th game was likely to be his last.
Selwood confirmed his decision to call time on his illustrious career at a press conference on Wednesday.
“About six weeks ago, I decided that this would be the time to finish my playing days at the Geelong footy club – win, lose, or draw – come the end of the year,” Selwood told reporters.
“I played every game like it was my last and the game’s really hard … you’ve got to go all out.
“When I decided that was going to be it, I knew that I had to just buckle in for six weeks and make sure I got the job done.”
Selwood and his management spoke to Geelong veterans Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins and Tom Stewart, as well as club CEO Steve Hocking, before arriving at a decision.
“They all want me to play on. That’s not going to be the case,” he said.
“I decided I could go probably at 85 per cent next year and everyone would look after me but I had to be all in. I just couldn’t do that.”
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Selwood is the third consecutive Geelong captain to retire after a premiership, following Tom Harley in 2009 and Cameron Ling in 2011.
He is the only player in Geelong’s history to win four flags (2007, 2009, 2011, 2022) and is the club’s games record holder with 355 appearances across 16 seasons.
He also played in two losing grand finals (2008 and 2020).
Selwood made a record-breaking 40th finals appearance in this year’s showpiece – one more than Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck.
Geelong coach Chris Scott spent 12 years working closely with Selwood and said the tough midfielder would be “irreplaceable” on and off the field.
Selwood informed Scott of his decision at a private meeting before the Cats’ win over West Coast in round 23, which propelled them into the finals series.
“The thing that continually struck me about Joel was his ability to care for others and prioritise others,” Scott said.
“When you take everything into consideration, he’s the best player I’ve ever seen and the best representative of the Geelong footy club that you could possibly imagine.
“Even when the opportunity came for him to take a bit of the limelight, his priority was to make sure that his decision didn’t negatively impact anyone else.
“He spoke really well … to the rest of the playing group around the need to keep (the decision) from everyone so they could prioritise the team performance going into a finals series.”
Chris Scott and Joel Selwood of the Cats hold the premiership cup aloft. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Selwood broke Carlton great Stephen Kernahan’s long-standing 226-game record for most games as an AFL/VFL club captain and finishes his career with 245 as skipper.
He played his entire career at Geelong after being drafted at pick No.7 in 2006, winning the Rising Star award and a premiership in his first season.
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Selwood is a six-time All-Australian, has captained the Cats since 2012, and has won three Carji Greeves medals as Geelong’s best and fairest.
He averaged 24.7 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions, 5.1 tackles, 5.2 clearances across his brilliant career.
He has also been hailed for his character and community work and was this year’s Jim Stynes community leadership award winner.
Selwood’s retirement kick-starts an off-season of change at Kardinia Park.
Quinton Narkle headlined a group of five players delisted on Wednesday as the Cats eye moves for GWS midfielder Tanner Bruhn and Collingwood forward Ollie Henry – both Geelong Falcons products.
Narkle, Francis Evans, Nick Stevens, Paul Tsapatolis and Zane Williams were all informed they won’t be offered contracts for 2023.
Selwood’s stunning career
* Born: 26 May 1988
* Junior clubs: Sandhurst/Bendigo U18
* Drafted: To Geelong at No.7 at the 2006 national draft
* AFL debut: Round 1, 2007 v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium
* AFL games: 355 (W259, L95, D1 – winning percentage 72.96 per cent)
* AFL goals: 175
* Captaincy: 2012-2022 (245 games)
* Career averages: 24.7 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions, 5.1 tackles, 5.2 clearances
* Brownlow votes: 214 (No.7 in all-time rankings)
* Top Brownlow Medal finish: Runner-up (2013)
* Honours: Premiership player (2007, 2009, 2001, 2022), premiership captain (2022), six-time All-Australian (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 – captain, 2013, 2014, 2016), three-time club best-and-fairest (2010, 2013, 2014), AFL Rising Star (2007)
* AFL grand finals: six (W4, L2)
– 2007 (W): 17 disposals, seven inside-50s, five clearances
– 2008 (L): 29 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six inside-50s
– 2009 (W): 24 disposals, five clearances, one goal
– 2011 (W): 28 disposals, two goals, 17 contested possessions, eight clearances, seven tackles
– 2020 (L): 21 disposals, six clearances, five tackles
– 2022 (W): 26 disposals, one goal, 21 uncontested possessions
* Records: most AFL finals games (40 – W22, L18), most games as captain (245)
* Retired: September 28, 2022
Cat
Roar Guru
I’d be surprised if he did anything next year. First child due next year.
Cat
Roar Guru
If they’d have won 3 of 4 the perception of a lot of players in those sides would be a lot different - but they didn’t.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I have heard rumours that Selwood could be an assistant coach at Carlton next year. Obviously cannot say that it is definite but obviously it would be great if it happens. Brian Cook would be chasing him for sure.
Cat
Roar Guru
Tom DeKonig joined his brother Sam in celebrations too but he isn’t leaving Carlton so that alone doesn’t mean much.
Cat
Roar Guru
Of all the things I’ve known about Selwood this bit that i just learned surprised me: Of Selwood’s 355 games, only one was a dead rubber, without prospect of making finals or proceeding further in them. In his career, he only once endured three successive losses.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd expect Bruhn to be a mid. I think he is considered 'big-bodied'.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Cats are intent on securing small forward Tanner Bruhn from GWS I believe. I personally think Henry is the better option as the cats have quite a few good smalls in their forward half. But , it would be foolish to argue against their recruting policy
Micko
Roar Rookie
Geelong played 4 GF's in 7 years from 1989-1995, yet the only standouts for mine were Gary Ablett Snr, Peter Ricciardi, and Paul Couch. Garry Hocking too maybe?
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Good points. It would be terible to see him go one more season only to end it prematurely with an ACL or other season ending injury. Better to go out while still playing good football with a premiership for a goodbye present.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Great players & great clubmen. The Tigers fans have a lot to be thankful for & be proud of.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Was important this year in leading a developing forward line along with Bruest who I agree, is more integral to our future but quality medium forwards are rarer than many think.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Upon reflecting on it, it's not as bad as I first thought. He is now 31 & his last two seasons haven't been that flash. He definitely isn't playing like Hawkins or Riewoldt when they were 30 years old. I would much prefer to keep Breust over Gunston. This can not have come from left field & it guarantees more salary cap space if they decide to go out to the market.
O M
Roar Rookie
He had a good year in 2022 by any standard and finished 6th in the B&F in a high quality Team that had a pretty good year.. He was set to retire but the Club asked him to play on for one more year to help develop the youngsters and play a role. He, and Jack, have both taken a massive pay cut to play on which has helped make room to bring in a couple of massive talents in Taranto & Hopper. Cotchin has had a great career also and will no doubt go down as a Richmond Legend.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Chicken winging and eye gouging were Judd's sins.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Definitely. :crying:
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
It stands to reason I suppose. In their 125 year history. The last 15 years is the Cat's greatest ever era I would imagine. 6 GFs with 4 premierships. That is a fair bit of success in a competition that has included 18 teams for the last 10 years.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I think he has made the right call. He isn't a big man, he plays very hard & he has been throwing that body around for a long time. The last thing he wants is a nasty injury ending his career. He's won 4 premierships & I would say the only box he hasn't ticked is winning a Brownlow. He isn't going to do that in 2023.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He joined his bro in celebration’s think he has one foot out the door, Peter.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
That’s a bit harsh. In that situation it comes down to a couple of things. Are they standing in the way of younger players coming thru & how much money is he asking? Cotchin hasn’t been a match winner like he used to be or Brownlow material, but it he left the Tigers back in 2020, are a lot of clubs would have been very interested in him.
O M
Roar Rookie
A great Captain, Player and Warrior. And like Cotchin, respected by his peers but disliked by fans of other Teams. He could single handed, inspire his whole Team to a victory by his sheer will, determination and dedication to the cause. He was a Spartan! If all players in a team had these traits they would be unbeatable. He is certainly not only one of the Cats greatest players but of the AFL as well. Good
riddanceluck in retirement Joel. Might see you down at the BHP sometime soon!