Joel Selwood's incredible act for Geelong fan after AFL grand final
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.
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.
Sammy’s moment 🥹#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/OK4GhdJQHV
— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2022
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.
Pure class Joel.
— Darren Levin (@darren_levin) September 24, 2022
Pretty sure Joel Selwood may just get applauded by every opposition supporter (if he plays on) after the last week.
Well done Joel.— Jack F-G 🇦🇺🇮🇹 (@jackf_g5) September 24, 2022
After seeing the way Joel was today after the game with the aus kick kids and Sammy, I have so much respect for him.
— Sainter_Russ (@RussSainter) September 24, 2022
Please stop making me like you Mr Selwood
— Danny Prins (@daniel_prins) September 24, 2022
As a diehard Hawthorn supporter I’ve always hated Selwood as enemy opposition, but absolute respect for him as a player and leader. Brilliant stuff.
— CTJ0410 (@ctj0410) September 24, 2022
Here I am trying to despise the cats and this type of content keeps popping up. pic.twitter.com/EBJ2wRlZcT
— Sharpy (@j0sharp) September 24, 2022
The thing I hate most about Joel Selwood is there’s absolutely nothing about him to dislike. Pure class.
— 💧Antifa - just like my dad (@Leaping_Leroy) September 24, 2022
Bloody @joelselwood14 has made me tear up 3 times today with Levi Ablett, the @AFLAuskick kids and now Sammy. How am I meant to dislike @GeelongCats if they’ve got players that seem like decent blokes representing them? #AFLGrandFinal #AFLGF
— ElizabethR (@telip1977) September 24, 2022
Joel Selwood yet to make decision on AFL future
The victory was Selwood's first premiership as captain and adds to triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
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."
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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