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Joel Selwood

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Joel Selwood
Personal information
Full name Joel Anthony Selwood
Original team(s) Bendigo Pioneers
Draft 7th overall, 2006
Geelong Cats
Height / weight 182 cm / 83 kg[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Geelong
Number 14
Career highlights

AFL

Geelong Football Club

TAC Cup

Other

  • Fox Sports AFL Best First Year Player Award (2007)
  • TCM AFL Performers of the Year Award (2007)
  • TEN Victorian Sports Star of the Year Award (2007)
  • The Age Sports Performer of the Week (2007)
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Joel Anthony Selwood (born May 26, 1988) is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A midfielder at 1.82 metres (6 ft 0 in) and 83 kilograms (183 lb), Selwood was part of the Cats' premiership-winning team in 2007. He is the only player to receive the AFL Rising Star Award and a AFL Premiership medallion in the same year.

After starting out in athletics, Selwood began playing football and debuted in the TAC Cup as a bottom-aged player. There, he became a standout performer in the junior league, winning Most Valuable Player awards at both state and international level, captaining Australia in the International Rules Series, and gaining selection in both the All-Australian and TAC Cup Team of the Year sides. Although a knee injury forced him to sit out most of his final year of junior football, Selwood was drafted by Geelong with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 AFL Draft. Selwood made his AFL debut in 2007, winning the AFL Rising Star Award, AFLPA Best First Year Player Award and an AFL Premiership medallion with Geelong.

Off the field, he has acted as an ambassador for the Seeing Eye Dogs Australia organisation alongside his brothers, Adam, Troy, and Scott, who each play in the AFL for West Coast, Brisbane, and West Coast respectively.

Early life

Joel Selwood was born to Bryce and Maree Selwood in the country town of Bendigo, Victoria.[3] Although raised in a sports-gifted family—mother Maree was a top runner and tennis player, whilst elder twins Adam and Troy were both identified as talented footballers right from their junior days[4]—Joel faced physical hurdles from a young age. As a 2-year-old, he was forced to wear splints on his leg to help overcome a walking disability.[3]

Unlike his brothers, Selwood displayed gifts as an athlete from an early age.[3] He excelled as the state hurdling champion from his under-10s days through to the under-15s; in one year holding every running and jumping record the Bendigo Sports Centre had, bar the 100 metres sprint.[3] Growing up alongside his elder brothers, Joel was familiar in playing with older, bigger teammates and opponents.[5] By the time he was 8-years-old, he had played his first competitive game of football, against children four years his senior, and proceeded to kick three goals as a half forward.[3]

Selwood played his junior football with the Sandhurst Football Club until, aged 17, he was chosen to play for the Bendigo Pioneers in the elite TAC Cup competition. Although his age deemed him ineligible for the 2005 AFL Draft, Selwood's accomplishments during the year led to AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan rating him "the best 17-year-old in Australia"[6]. Selwood garnered an impressive array of accolades and honours as a bottom-aged player,[6] winning mid-year State honours for Victoria Country in the AFL National Championships, with his performances in the championship games earning him end-of-year All-Australian honours and the Most Valuable Player award for Victoria Country. In addition, he was named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year, awarded a scholarship within the prestigious AIS-AFL Academy, and subsequently captained his elder teammates in the annual under 18s International Rules Series in Ireland. His performances in Ireland earned him the Ron Barassi Medal, as the adjudicated Most Valuable Player of the tour.[7]

Returning in 2006 with the Pioneers, Selwood entered his final year of junior football as one of the top rated prospects in his age group.[8] Selwood's achievements at the junior level were recognised by the AFL Player's Association early on, when he was awarded the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship[9] as well as the AFL Life Members Education Fund Award.[10] Rewarded with the captaincy of Bendigo for his final season, Selwood again won mid-year State honours for Victoria Country. However, a knee injury sustained only six rounds into the competition forced him to undergo surgery—his fourth knee operation within two years—prematurely ending his season.[11]

Career

2007: Debut

Selwood was drafted by the Geelong Football Club with their first selection, and the seventh pick overall, in the 2006 AFL Draft.[12] Although many recruiting scouts viewed him as "the finest pure footballer in the draft"[13] and a potential top pick, concern still surrounded his operated knee.[13][14] Nonetheless, as the equal-highest ever draft pick for the Cats,[15] Selwood made his debut in the opening round of the 2007 AFL Premiership Season and missed only four games during the home and away period.

Joel Selwood during the 2007 AFL Grand Final Parade.

Selwood's transition to the rigours of AFL football drew rave reviews throughout the footballing community,[16] with Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews noting how "from [his] first game ... he looked like he had played 200 of them"[17], while Geelong coach Mark Thompson labelled an 18 year old Selwood the best youngster to had come under his tutelage during his time at the club.[2][18] From the beginning, Selwood showcased an ability to influence games: in just his fourth game, Selwood led his elder and more experienced teammates with an "inspiring"[19] game of 25 disposals and nine tackles, earning him a AFL Rising Star Award nomination. Such was his performance that the coaching staff had a highlights package made to screen to the rest of the team during the match review later that week.[20] Selwood's impact on the game as a first-year player prompted numerous comparisons to Chris Judd, who was similarly lauded for his instant success as an 18-year-old.[21]

At the conclusion of the home and away period, Selwood's regular contributions coming off the bench saw him receive several individual accolades. Polling 44 out of a possible 45 votes, he was awarded the inaugural Ron Evans Medal as the winner of the AFL Rising Star Award.[22] Selwood earned maximum votes from all but one of the judges, who nonetheless awarded him four out of a possible five.[23] Selwood was also awarded the prestigious AFLPA Best First Year Player Award, winning with over 70% of all votes from his peers[24] to become only the fourth player to complete a sweep of both the major awards for first-year players.[25]

There are very few that play like Joel Selwood plays and have such a dominant year ... to have that type of year, I think that's a bit of a rarity.

Kevin Sheehan[26]

Having helped the Cats finish first on the ladder and capture the McClelland Trophy, Selwood made his finals debut in the 2nd Qualifying Final against the Kangaroos at the MCG.[27] In front of nearly 80,000 fans, Selwood amassed 22 disposals, five marks, five clearances, six inside 50s, five tackles, and five score assists, helping Geelong to a club finals record 106 point victory.[28][29] Although Selwood struggled to contribute in the Preliminary Final against Collingwood a fortnight later,[30] he returned to the MCG for the 2007 AFL Grand Final.[31] Collecting 18 disposals, five marks, five clearances—the most of any Geelong player—seven inside 50s, four tackles, and an equal game-high four score assists,[32] Selwood helped the Cats to a record 119 point win in the Grand Final against Port Adelaide.[33] In winning his first premiership medallion, Selwood became the youngest premiership player in 10 years, at 19 years of age.[34] He also became the first player to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in a Premiership side within the same season,[15] making him one of the most accomplished first year players in league history to date.[26][35] Selwood's debut year achievements saw him become the highest-paid first-year player in AFL history.[36]

Selwood finished the season ranked first among all first-year players in several major statistical categories;[28] including total possessions (405), disposals per game (19.3), total kicks (216), total handpasses (189), total marks (109), total tackles (94)—the most by any first-year player in AFL history—[37]and tackles per game (4.5). His 23 score assists during the season also saw him finish the year ranked within the top ten in the league.[28] Selwood added to his growing list of first-year honours at season's end with the Geelong Best First Year Player Award, a top 20 placing in the Club Champion award,[38] and recognition among several media end-of-year sporting awards.[39]

2008

During the off-season, Selwood underwent minor surgery on his calf to alleviate compartment syndrome.[40] Having come off the bench as a midfielder for much of his debut season, Selwood entered his second year seeking to develop his all-around game and gain additional playing time. After consulting with the coaching staff during the off-season, Selwood heralded a move down back as a rotating defender when not in his customary midfield position.[40]

Selwood marked his Anzac Day debut against Fremantle with a best-on-ground game of 26 disposals[41]—including 14 in the final quarter—to help lift Geelong to a one-point victory.[42] His early season performances were rewarded when he was selected to play for Victoria in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match All-Star event.[43] In gaining selection for the Victorian team, Selwood became the youngest player to represent "The Big V" in more than 12 years, at 19 years of age.[44]

With his rookie contract due to expire, concern mounted during the year over Geelong's ability to retain Selwood beyond the season.[45] With almost half of their premiership-winning list out of contract, the Cats could only offer contracts paying significantly less than available elsewhere.[45] However, Selwood committed to a new two-year deal with the club, citing "club success and future opportunities" as an overriding reason in accepting the pay cut.[46]

Selwood holds the third-longest all-time winning streak by an individual player in VFL/AFL history, having won 25 games in succession before a Round 9 loss to Collingwood.[47]

Player profile

Selwood is primarily regarded as an inside midfielder, where he is noted for his consistent physical approach to contests, ability to find time and space out on the field, and aptitude for winning the football.[48] AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews has complimented Selwood as being "already the best wet-weather player in the game"[2], while teammates Joel Corey and Cameron Ling have also acknowledged his maturity and regard as one of the most physical players in the game.[49][50] His leadership ability has often been praised since his arrival at the club, leading to predictions of a future post as club captain.[49][50]

Selwood's all-around ability to contribute as an inside or outside midfielder was highlighted by his ranking among the top five at Geelong for clearances per game, first possessions per game, contested possessions per game, inside 50s per game, and score assists per game in his debut year.[51]

Although his kicking skills statistically carry an average efficiency of 76%,[52] his decision-making ability is often used to counteract his productivity with the football.[2] His lack of natural leg speed, however, is considered one of his more notable weaknesses.[53]

Statistics

Statistics are correct as of 31 May, 2008 (Round 10)[28]
Season Team No. Games Disposals Kicks Handballs Marks Tackles Goals Behinds
2008 Geelong 14 10 20.8 10.4 10.4 4.4 3.6 0.3 0.6
2007 Geelong 14 21 19.3 10.3 9.0 5.2 4.5 0.3 0.4
Career Averages 19.7 10.3 9.4 4.9 4.1 0.3 0.4


Season Team No. Games Disposals Kicks Handballs Marks Tackles Goals Behinds
2008 Geelong 14 10 208 104 104 44 36 3 6
2007 Geelong 14 21 405 216 189 109 94 7 8
Career Totals 31 613 320 293 154 130 10 14

Honours

  • Team
    • AFL Premiership with Geelong: 2007
    • AFL McClelland Trophy with Geelong: 2007
  • Individual
    • AFL Rising Star Award: 2007
    • AFLPA Best First Year Player Award: 2007
    • Geelong F.C. Best First Year Player Award: 2007
    • FOX Sports AFL Best First Year Player Award: 2007
    • TEN Victorian Sports Star of the Year Award: 2007
    • Victorian Team representative honours in AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match: 2008
  • Other achievements
    • Second-youngest player in VFL/AFL history to win a Premiership (19 years, 126 days)[54]
    • Only player in VFL/AFL history to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in an AFL Premiership within the same year[34]
    • First Geelong player to win the AFL Rising Star Award[55]
    • Most tackles ever in a season by a first-year player (92 tackles)[37]
    • Third-longest all-time streak for most consecutive victories by an AFL player (25 wins)[47]

Personal life

Selwood is the third of four children born to Bryce and Maree Selwood. He has three brothers, all listed with AFL clubs; two older brothers, the twins Adam (playing with West Coast) and Troy (Brisbane) and a younger brother, Scott (West Coast). Selwood's mother, Maree, was awarded the 2005 AFLPA Mother of the Year Award for her contribution to football through each of her sons.[56] Selwood is also a descendant of the three Crapper brothers, each of whom played VFL football in the 1930's and are grand-uncles to Selwood's mother Maree.[57]

Along with his parents and brothers, Joel is an ambassador for the Seeing Eye Dogs Association (SEDA) Organisation. Together with his ambassadorial role, Joel and his family sponsor pups, one named 'Selwood' in their family's honour, being trained as a Seeing Eye Dogs. SEDA have claimed that the wide-spread nature of the family around Australia, a result of the AFL draft which has seen Adam and Scott make their way west, Troy up north, and Joel remain south in Victoria, helps reflect their organisation's national coverage.[58] Selwood is also an ambassador and inaugural member of the Sandhurst Football Club past players club initiative. In addition to his public ambassadorial role for the club, he is a regular speaker at club functions.[59]

Selwood's early success on the field has also led to several endorsement and promotional deals with companies including Asics and Smith's. These have seen Selwood participate in promotional appearances alongside rugby league player Greg Inglis and several television advertisements with AFL Hall of Famer Peter Daicos.[60][61]

A life-long supporter of the Cats growing up in Bendigo,[15][62] Selwood currently houses with a host family in Geelong, along with teammate Tom Hawkins.[63]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Slattery, Geoff (2007). Geelong - The greatest team of all. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-9803466-9-5.
  2. ^ a b c d Gullan, S, "Rising Star award down to two", The Herald Sun, 14 July 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  3. ^ a b c d e Gleeson, M, "Hard Selwood", The Age, 1 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  4. ^ McClure, G, "Selwoods take it one son at a time", The Age, 5 July 2005, accessed 4 October 2007
  5. ^ Auciello, M, "Joel breaks from his big brothers", The Geelong Advertiser, 19 January 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  6. ^ a b "Selwood in running for top award", The Bendigo Advertiser, 12 July 2007, accessed 5 December 2007
  7. ^ Witham, J, "Joel Selwood wins NAB AFL Rising Star nomination", afl.com.au, 1 May 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  8. ^ "Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star Award", NAB.com, 5 September 2007, accessed 16 December 2007
  9. ^ Murnane, J, "Nine AFLPA Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship selected in AFL Draft", 27 November 2006, accessed 19 May 2008
  10. ^ "Naitanui already making headlines", 14 September 2007, accessed 19 May 2008
  11. ^ Gullan, Scott (2008). The Mission. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-646-48985-8.
  12. ^ Walls, R, "The next generation of superstars", The Age, 23 June 2007, accessed 3 October 2007
  13. ^ a b Gleeson, M, "Geelong captures a Selwood and calms a mother's heart", The Age, 26 November 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  14. ^ Niall, J, "Impressive Selwood tipped for Cats' opener", The Age, 27 March 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  15. ^ a b c Slattery, Geoff (2007). Geelong - The greatest team of all. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-9803466-9-5.
  16. ^ Slattery, Geoff (2007). Geelong - The greatest team of all. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-9803466-9-5.
  17. ^ Morton, J. "Lions' Leuenberger earns rave reviews", 13 August 2007. accessed 22 May 2008
  18. ^ Witham, J, "Selwood reminiscent of Bartel", gfc.com.au, 5 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  19. ^ Gullan, Scott (2008). The Mission. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-646-48985-8.
  20. ^ Gullan, Scott (2008). The Mission. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-646-48985-8.
  21. ^ Niall, J, "Joel Selwood follows Judd", The Age, 13 August 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  22. ^ Shields, J ""Joel Selwood's star qualities", The Geelong Advertiser, 6 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007
  23. ^ "Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star award", afl.com.au, 5 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  24. ^ "Joel Selwood wins AFLPA Best First Year Player Award, stridesports.com.au, 28 September 2007, accessed 26 October 2007
  25. ^ "Ablett wins AFLPA MVP award", The Herald Sun, 29 September 2007, accessed 29 September 2007
  26. ^ a b Sherwood, M, "Selwood's season rare for a rookie: Sheehan", The Canberra Times, 3 October 2007, accessed 8 November 2007
  27. ^ Boulon, M, "Cats' Rising Star looks for a flag", The Age, 6 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007
  28. ^ a b c d "Joel Selwood Statistics", footywire.com, accessed 4 May 2008
  29. ^ Lienert, S. "Cats pound 'Roos in record thrashing", Perth Now, 9 September 2008, accessed 26 May 2008
  30. ^ Townley, Simon (2007). Year of the Cat - The Inside Story. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-9592863-7-3.
  31. ^ "Big brother Adam expects Joel to handle hype", The Geelong Advertiser, 29 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007
  32. ^ "Joel's stunning season", The Bendigo Advertiser, 1 October 2007, accessed 9 February 2008
  33. ^ "Premiership a doddle for teenage sensation", afl.com.au, 30 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007
  34. ^ a b Williams, R, "Selwood wanted premiership ride", foxsports.com.au, 1 October 2007, accessed 1 October 2007
  35. ^ Slattery, Geoff (2007). Geelong - The greatest team of all. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-9803466-9-5.
  36. ^ Barrett, D. "Cats cash in on flag", The Herald Sun, 1 October 2007, accessed 26 May 2008
  37. ^ a b "AFL Tables All-Time Player Statisics, accessed 13 May 2008
  38. ^ "Profile at Geelong's official website", gfc.com.au, accessed 4 November 2007
  39. ^ "Young guns keep firing", The Bendigo Advertiser, 13 October 2007, accessed 4 November 2007
  40. ^ a b Auciello, M, "Young Cat Joel Selwood eyes the backline as he goes forward", The Geelong Advertiser, 12 February 2008, accessed 23 March 2008
  41. ^ Shields, J, "Cats show true fighting spirit to beat Fremantle by a point in Anzac Day thriller", The Geelong Advertiser, April 26 2008, accessed 28 April 2008
  42. ^ Shields, J, "Bartel praises young gun Joel Selwood for brilliant final quarter", The Geelong Advertiser, 28 April 2008, accessed 28 April 2008
  43. ^ "Vics name eight Cats" afl.com.au, 4 May 2008, accessed 4 May 2008
  44. ^ Bews, A, "Game's state of pride", The Geelong Advertiser, 7 May 2008, accessed 7 May 2008
  45. ^ a b Sheridan, N, "Cats' Selwood still to re-sign", The Age, 25 April 2008, accessed 8 May 2008
  46. ^ Sheridan, N, "Selwood inks deal with Geelong", The Age, 8 May 2008, accessed 8 May 2008
  47. ^ a b McClure, G, "So that's where that fan got to", The Age, 30 April 2008, accessed 30 April 2008
  48. ^ Townley, Simon (2007). Year of the Cat - The Inside Story. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-9592863-7-3.
  49. ^ a b Hanlon, P, "What next, boy wonder?", The Age, 9 March 2008, accessed 17 March 2008
  50. ^ a b Shields, J, "First-year player has made a big impact", The Geelong Advertiser, 3 September 2007, accessed 17 March 2008
  51. ^ "PRO STATS", ProStats.com, accessed 17 March 2008
  52. ^ "Herald Sun Superstats", accessed 17 March 2008
  53. ^ Niall, J, "Cats have more hype than talent", The Age, 3 May 2007, accessed 17 March 2008
  54. ^ Green, B, "Corey predicts Cats teammate Selwood will only get better", The Geelong Advertiser, 2 October 2007, accessed 11 February 2008
  55. ^ "For Selwood, only the flag really counts", AAP.com, 5 September 2007, accessed 4 November 2007
  56. ^ "AFLPA Mother of the Year Award", 6 May 2007, accessed 8 November 2007
  57. ^ "Selwood's follow family tradition", The Bendigo Advertiser, 28 November 2007, accessed 2 February 2008
  58. ^ "Brotherly love put aside at Geelong", The Age, 16 June 2007, accessed 19 September 2007
  59. ^ "Hurst calls for ex-players", The Bendigo Advertiser, 22 March 2008, accessed 23 March 2008
  60. ^ "Asics Selwood/Inglis Football Boots", accessed 24 April 2008
  61. ^ "Asics Selwood Football Boots", accessed 24 April 2008
  62. ^ "Rookies have lots to do", The Bendigo Advertiser, 28 December 2007, accessed 8 November 2007
  63. ^ Gullan, S, "Dad's jumper fits Hawkins fine"The Herald Sun, 16 December 2007, accessed 8 November 2007

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joel Selwood.


Template:S-awards
Sporting positions
Preceded by Captain of Australia
U/18 International Rules Series
2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ron Evans Medal

AFL Rising Star Award
2007 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by AFLPA Best First Year Player Award
2007 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Geelong FC Best First Year Player Award
2007 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Records
AFL Premiership / Rising Star Award Double[1]
Only player to win AFL Rising Star Award and play in an AFL Premiership in the same year
Most Tackles Ever in a Season by a First-Year Player[2]
92 tackles


Template:Persondata

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference young was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference tackle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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