Joel Selwood is a distinguished former Australian rules footballer renowned for his exceptional career with the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Over his illustrious tenure, Selwood achieved remarkable success, including four premierships, with his leadership culminating in Geelong’s tenth premiership in 2022. His accolades include being a six-time All-Australian and the recipient of the AFLPA Best Captain Award, showcasing his status as one of the league’s premier players.
Selwood’s career began with a stellar junior background, where he was recognized as the best 17-year-old in Australia. He made an immediate impact in the AFL, winning the AFL Rising Star Award in his debut season and setting a record with a 92% winning percentage in his first 50 games. His ability to influence matches was evident early on, and he quickly established himself as a key midfielder, consistently averaging over 24 disposals per game throughout his career.
As Geelong’s captain from 2012 to 2022, Selwood led the team with exceptional courage and consistency. Under his guidance, the Cats reached the finals in every season except one, participating in seven preliminary finals and securing two Grand Finals. Selwood’s leadership was characterized by his tactical acumen and motivational skills, earning him the title of the longest-serving captain in AFL history.
Selwood’s legacy is further highlighted by his record of individual awards, including multiple Carji Greeves Medals as Geelong’s best and fairest player and the AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award. His contributions to the game and the Geelong Football Club have solidified his status as a true icon of Australian rules football.