Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Allen's powerful mental health plea amid Selwood heartbreak
SEN • May 18th, 2025 10:23 pm
West Coast captain Oscar Allen delivered a powerful tribute to former Eagle Adam Selwood on Sunday evening, calling for people to focus on the importance of mental health and to check in with one another.
Fiona Selwood, Adam’s wife, announced the 41-year-old’s death via a statement with the AFL on Saturday morning.
It was the second tragedy to hit the Selwood family this year with Adam’s twin brother Troy passing away in February.
Amid an outpouring of grief from the AFL world and beautiful tributes throughout Round 10, the Eagles held a minute’s silence and wore black armbands for their clash with St Kilda, remembering their 2006 Premiership winner.
Drawing on his own experiences this year, Allen urged everyone to reach out for help and talk about a topic which remains sadly taboo.
“It’s great to win a game of footy but we have lost a legend of our club,” he said.
“I just want to send all the love to the Selwood family.
“Mental health is such a massive thing in society at the moment.
“I’ve struggled with my own mental battle this year and I've been so fortunate tot have such great support behind me to have my back around everything we have gone through.
“I urge anyone out there that’s struggling to reach out to helplines, friends reach out to each other.
“We’re heartbroken. We offer all the support we can to the Selwoods.”
Selwood was drafted by the Eagles in 2002 and spent the next decade with the club.
He was part of the team which claimed premiership glory against the Swans in 2006.
Before Sunday’s clash with St Kilda, a tribute video of Selwood’s career highlights was played at Optus Stadium featuring many of his 187 games.
In front of 42,860 fans, the Eagles fought back tears and heartbreak to record their first win of the season.
Jamie Cripps, a former teammate of Adam’s, was visibly emotional during the minutes silence before the game.
In the first quarter he delivered a beautiful tribute to his friend tapping the black armband on his arm after kicking.
“It’s been a heavy 24 hours for everyone, in particular for Crippa who played with and got coached by him (Selwood),” ex-Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
IF YOU NEED TO TALK
Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
