Joel Selwood’s incredible act for Geelong fan after AFL grand final
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Joel Selwood spotted Sam Moorfoot in the crowd after the AFL grand final. Image: AFL
Joel Selwood has won over the AFL world for his classy actions before and after Geelong’s victory in the grand final on Saturday.
The Geelong captain tasted premiership success for the fourth time on Saturday as Geelong dismantled the Swans 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52).
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The 34-year-old turned back the clock at the MCG, racking up 12 first-quarter touches and finishing with 26 disposals and a goal.
However it is his actions before and after the game that have captured the hearts of AFL fans.
Before the game, Selwood ran through the banner and onto the MCG carrying former teammate Gary Ablett’s son Levi.
Levi suffers from a rare degenerative disease, with Gary and Jordan Ablett previously revealing he has a short life expectancy and can’t walk.
Selwood then won more fans after the match when he presented his game-worn boots to the young Auskicker of the Year, who was tasked with handing him his premiership medal.
Selwood said to Archie Stockdale “I told you I was coming to see you”, before handing him his boots in an incredible gesture.
Joel Selwood celebrates with young Auskicker of the Year Archie Stockdale. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
But the Geelong captain wasn’t done there, sharing another special moment with the club’s ‘waterboy’ Sam Moorfoot after spotting him in the crowd.
Selwood was walking around the MCG celebrating with fans when he spotted Moorfoot – who has Down Syndrome and has been acting as the club’s water boy during training sessions for a number of years.
Selwood embraced Moorfoot and asked if he wanted to join him on the field, picking him up and helping him over the boundary fence.
Jeremy Cameron then draped his premiership medal around Moorfoot’s neck as Selwood put his arm around him and saluted the crowd.
The victory was Selwood’s first premiership as captain and adds to triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
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The explosion of emotion when Selwood scored his goal in the dying minutes indicated the Cats are prepared for the possibility of their skipper calling time on his illustrious career.
But Selwood was adamant the result had ‘zero’ bearing on a call he is yet to make, while delighting in claiming his first flag since 2011.
“(Premiership No.4 is) special. I’m a little bit older. The work that goes into them is just huge,” he said.
“I look around, I’ve pictured these boys as premiership players for a long time. So to be there and get there, it’s remarkable.
“I’ve played nearly 200 games with Mark Blicavs and Cam Guthrie, for them to get a premiership medal now, that’s what I go to work for to be honest.”
Joel Selwood celebrates with partner Brit Davis after the AFL grand final. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Star teammate Patrick Dangerfield said he hopes Selwood would sign on for 2023.
“I’d have him playing when he’s 50 and can’t move,” Dangerfield told reporters.
“He’s amazing. Finals come around and he’s just a different beast.”
Cameron joined the chorus, saying: “I hope (he plays on). I love him around the club. I’m going to go whisper in his ear and tell him he’s not done yet.
“The problem with Joel is he’s the first one to pre-season, and he’s done so much, you ask yourself sometimes why’s this bloke doing that?’
“Whether Joel hangs them up or not, I’ll be pushing for at least one more, I’ll push for two more.”
with AAP
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