Joel Selwood act comes to light in wake of AFL grand final gesture
Just when it seemed like Joel Selwood's incredible post-grand final act couldn't get any better, new details have emerged of the Geelong captain's superb gesture for super-fan, Sam Moorfoot.
The victorious Cats skipper melted hearts around Australia after celebrating his side's 81-point AFL grand final win over Sydney with one of Geelong's most passionate fans.
DISGUSTED: Geelong's AFL Mad Monday stunt sparks angry public backlash
OUCH: Buddy Franklin cops brutal truth bomb after AFL grand final flop
'DON'T SIGN': Collingwood ripped over Jordan de Goey contract drama
Moorfoot has Down Syndrome and has been acting as the club's water boy during training sessions for a number of years.
He is well known at the Cats and has been performing various volunteer roles with with his beloved club for the last seven years.
In a lovely post-match moment on Saturday, Selwood spotted Moorfoot in the stands, before promptly lifting him over the boundary fence and onto the ground.
Jeremy Cameron then draped his premiership medal around Moorfoot's neck as Selwood put his arm around him and saluted the crowd.
Video of the incident has been viewed millions of times in Australia, even going viral in the United States.
It's now been revealed that Selwood's incredible gesture went far beyond simply inviting Moorfoot onto the field to celebrate with the team.
Sam's parents, Dale and Lindy, appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise to explain that the Cats skipper actually rang them to say he was going to look after their son for the afternoon, before dropping him back home later in the evening.
“It was absolutely awesome,” Dale revealed. “We couldn’t believe it, we’d lost him (Sam), he said: ‘I’m going down to the fence.’
“Lindy and I couldn’t spot where he was because the crowd was so big. Next thing we see him pop up out on the ground. We didn’t see him again until we got back to Geelong that night.
“Joel actually rang Lindy out on the ground on Sam’s phone to let her know that he was OK and that he’ll drop him back in Geelong (later).”
Sunrise host David Koch said Selwood's brilliant gesture summed up the type of person he is.
“So let me get this right … he’s (Selwood) the captain of a grand final winning team. He goes over to Sam, pulls him out of the crowd, then rings Sam’s mum to say: ‘It’s OK, I’ve got him, I’ll look after him and I’ll drop him home in Geelong tonight’,” Koch said.
“For a bloke to do that after winning a grand final is just extraordinary and such a reflection of the bloke. That sums him up.”
Sam Moorfoot's family pays tribute to Joel Selwood
Sam's mum Lindy was also gushing in her praise of Selwood and his Geelong teammates.
“That’s the person he is. It was so special, it’s more than he (Sam) could’ve dreamt of. They’ve just included him all along the way, it’s just the best club.”
Moorfoot was working as a volunteer at the Cats bistro until it was closed due to the redevelopment of Geelong's home ground at GMHBA Stadium.
He was then given the honour of being the team's water boy on their main training day, with Selwood detailing his bond with Moorfoot in the past.
“We share a very special friendship, and I consider him like family. He has my back and I have his," Selwood told The Age.
Moorfoot praised Selwood for being a "great real model" but says all of the Geelong players have been incredible to him.
“I think Joel is amazing. A great role model but also a little bit cheeky. He treats me like a brother and always looks out for me,” Moorfoot said.
“There isn’t one player at Geelong that isn’t kind and supportive. They are all my mates.”
Saturday's victory was Selwood's first premiership as captain and adds to his triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.