Joel Selwood

Infobox afl player NEW
playername = Joel Selwood
fullname = Joel Anthony Selwood
image capt = Joel Selwood


birthdate = birth date and age|1988|05|26|df=ycite book|title=Geelong - The greatest team of all |first=Geoff |last=Slattery | year=2007|pages=94|isbn=978-0-9803466-9-5]
birthplace = Bendigo, Victoria, AustraliaGullan, S, [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22069616%255E19766,00.html "Rising Star award down to two"] , The Herald Sun, 14 July 2007, accessed 19 September 2007]
originalteam = Bendigo Pioneers
draftpick = 7^th overall, 2006
Geelong Cats
heightweight = 182 cm / 82 kg
position = Midfielder
currentclub = Geelong
guernsey = 14
years = 2007 –
clubs = Geelong
games(goals) = 45 (13)
sooyears = 2008
sooteams = flagicon|Victoria Victoria
soogames(goals) = 1 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteams =
nationalgames(goals) =
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = Grand Final, 2008
repstatsend = HOF Tribute Match, 2008
careerhighlights =

AFL
*AFL Premiership player (2007)
*Ron Evans Medallist as AFL Rising Star Award winner (2007)
*AFLPA Best First Year Player Award (2007)
*AFLPA Most Valuable Player Award nomination (2008)
*AFLPA Robert Rose Award nomination (2008)
*AFL Army Award nomination (2007, 2008)
*Victoria representative honours in AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match (2008)

Geelong Football Club
*Geelong FC Best First Year Player Award (2007)

TAC Cup
*All Australian U/18 (2005)
*TAC Cup Team of the Year (2005)
*Vic Country Most Valuable Player Award (2005)
*Vic Country U/18 (2005, 2006)
*AFLPA Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship Holder (2006)
*AFL Life Members Education Fund Award (2006)
*Captain of Bendigo Pioneers (2006)
*Captain of Australia in U/18 IR Series (2005)
*Ron Barassi Medal as MVP in IR Series (2005)
*U/18 International Rules Series (2005)
*AIS-AFL Academy Squad (2005)
*3rd in Neville Strauch Award as Bendigo Pioneers Best & Fairest (2005)
*Vic Country U/16 (2004)

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)

Joel Anthony Selwood (born 26 May 1988) is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A midfielder convert|1.82|m|0 and convert|82|kg|0, Selwood was part of the Cats' premiership-winning team in 2007. He is the only player to have received 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 stand-out performer in the junior league, winning Most Valuable Player awards at both state and international levels, 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.Gleeson, M, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/hard-selwood/2007/08/31/1188067368443.html "Hard Selwood"] , The Age, 1 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] 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 [McClure, G, [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/07/14/1120934358428.html?from=storyrhs "Selwoods take it one son at a time"] , The Age, 5 July 2005, accessed 4 October 2007] —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.

Unlike his brothers, Selwood displayed gifts as an athlete from an early age. 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. Growing up alongside his elder brothers, Joel was familiar in playing with older, bigger teammates and opponents. [Auciello, M, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/01/19/979_geelong_sports.html "Joel breaks from his big brothers"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 19 January 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] 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.

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". [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/general/selwood-in-running-for-top-award/1020068.html "Selwood in running for top award"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 12 July 2007, accessed 5 December 2007] Selwood garnered an impressive array of accolades and honours as a bottom-aged player, 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.Witham, J, [http://afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=42318 "Joel Selwood wins NAB AFL Rising Star nomination"] , afl.com.au, 1 May 2007, accessed 19 September 2007]

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. [ [http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,89476,00.html "Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star Award"] , NAB.com, 5 September 2007, accessed 16 December 2007] 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 [Murnane, J, [http://www.aflpa.com.au/index.cfm?id=27EB61B6-D819-4F95-8DFC8DB806C87341 "Nine AFLPA Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship selected in AFL Draft"] , 27 November 2006, accessed 19 May 2008] as well as the AFL Life Members Education Fund Award. [ [http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=51147 "Naitanui already making headlines"] , 14 September 2007, accessed 19 May 2008] 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.cite book|title=The Mission|first=Scott |last=Gullan | year=2008|pages=140|isbn=978-0-646-48985-8]

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. [Walls, R, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/the-next-generation-of-superstars/2007/06/22/1182019372315.html "The next generation of superstars"] , The Age, 23 June 2007, accessed 3 October 2007] Although many recruiting scouts viewed him as "the finest pure footballer in the draft"Gleeson, M, [http://www.theage.com.au/handheld/realfooty/articles/2006/11/25/1164341455071.html "Geelong captures a Selwood and calms a mother's heart"] , The Age, 26 November 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] and a potential top pick, concern still surrounded his operated knee. [Niall, J, [http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/afl/impressive-selwood-tipped-for-cats-opener/2007/03/26/1174761378613.html&cid=1114812242&ei=dE0IRvS3KaayqgOLhbXNAg "Impressive Selwood tipped for Cats' opener"] , The Age, 27 March 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] Nonetheless, as the equal-highest ever draft pick for the Cats,cite book|title=Geelong - The greatest team of all |first=Geoff |last=Slattery | year=2007|pages=18|isbn=978-0-9803466-9-5] 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.

Selwood's transition to the rigours of AFL football drew rave reviews throughout the footballing community,cite book|title=Geelong - The greatest team of all |first=Geoff |last=Slattery | year=2007|pages=81|isbn=978-0-9803466-9-5] with Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews noting how "from [his] first game ... he looked like he had played 200 of them", [Morton, J. [http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=49047 "Lions' Leuenberger earns rave reviews"] , 13 August 2007. accessed 22 May 2008] 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. [Witham, J, [http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=50593 "Selwood reminiscent of Bartel"] , gfc.com.au, 5 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] 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"cite book|title=The Mission|first=Scott |last=Gullan | year=2008|pages=70|isbn=978-0-646-48985-8] 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.cite book|title=The Mission|first=Scott |last=Gullan | year=2008|pages=79|isbn=978-0-646-48985-8] 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.Niall, J, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2007/08/12/1186857346978.html "Joel Selwood follows Judd"] , The Age, 13 August 2007, accessed 19 September 2007]

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. [Shields, J " [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/09/06/6636_geelong_sports.html "Joel Selwood's star qualities"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 6 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007] Selwood earned maximum votes from all but one of the judges, who nonetheless awarded him four out of a possible five. [ [http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=50566 "Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star award"] , afl.com.au, 5 September 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] Selwood was also awarded the prestigious AFLPA Best First Year Player Award, winning with over 70% of all votes from his peers [ [http://www.stridesports.com.au/Joel%20Selwood%20wins%20AFLPA%20Best%20First%20Year%20Player.htm "Joel Selwood wins AFLPA Best First Year Player Award] , stridesports.com.au, 28 September 2007, accessed 26 October 2007] to become only the fourth player to complete a sweep of both the major awards for first-year players. [ [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22501129%255E19766,00.html "Ablett wins AFLPA MVP award"] , The Herald Sun, 29 September 2007, accessed 29 September 2007] Quote_box
width=35%
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quote=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.
source=Kevin Sheehan|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. [Boulon, M, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cats-rising-star-looks-for-a-flag/2007/09/05/1188783319901.html?s_cid=rss_sport "Cats' Rising Star looks for a flag"] , The Age, 6 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007] 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. [Lienert, S. [http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22388575-5011880,00.html "Cats pound 'Roos in record thrashing"] , Perth Now, 9 September 2008, accessed 26 May 2008] Although Selwood struggled to contribute in the Preliminary Final against Collingwood a fortnight later,cite book|title=Year of the Cat - The Inside Story |first=Simon |last=Townley | year=2007|pages=101|isbn=978-0-9592863-7-3] he returned to the MCG for the 2007 AFL Grand Final. [ [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/09/29/7353_gfc.html "Big brother Adam expects Joel to handle hype"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 29 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007] 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, [ [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/general/joels-stunning-season/1061910.html "Joel's stunning season"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 1 October 2007, accessed 9 February 2008] Selwood helped the Cats to a record 119 point win in the Grand Final against Port Adelaide. [ [http://afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=51977 "Premiership a doddle for teenage sensation"] , afl.com.au, 30 September 2007, accessed 5 December 2007] In winning his first premiership medallion, Selwood became the youngest premiership player in 10 years, at 19 years of age.Williams, R, [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22510530-23211,00.html "Selwood wanted premiership ride"] , foxsports.com.au, 1 October 2007, accessed 1 October 2007] He also became the first player to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in a Premiership side within the same season, making him one of the most accomplished first year players in league history to date.Sherwood, M, [http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/afl/selwoods-season-rare-for-a-rookie-sheehan/1063231.html "Selwood's season rare for a rookie: Sheehan"] , The Canberra Times, 3 October 2007, accessed 8 November 2007] cite book|title=Geelong - The greatest team of all |first=Geoff |last=Slattery | year=2007|pages=48|isbn=978-0-9803466-9-5] Selwood's debut year achievements saw him become the highest-paid first-year player in AFL history. [Barrett, D. [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,,22509283-19742,00.html "Cats cash in on flag"] , The Herald Sun, 1 October 2007, accessed 26 May 2008]

Selwood finished the season ranked first among all first-year players in several major statistical categories; 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— [http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/J/Joel_Selwood.html "AFL Tables All-Time Player Statisics] , accessed 13 May 2008] 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. 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, [http://gfc.com.au/TheClub/Players/PlayerProfile/tabid/8137/playerId/15610/teamId/30/typeId/2/Default.aspx "Profile at Geelong's official website"] , gfc.com.au, accessed 4 November 2007] and recognition among several media end-of-year sporting awards. [ [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/general/young-guns-keep-firing/1068904.html "Young guns keep firing"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 13 October 2007, accessed 4 November 2007]

2008

Selwood continued to establish himself as a key player in the Geelong midfield during the 2008 AFL Season,Ralph, J, [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24322889-19742,00.html "Young Cat Joel Selwood impresses his peers at Geelong"] , The Herald Sun, 10 September 2008, accessed 29 September 2008] helping the Cats compile a record-equaling 21-win season and secure the McClelland Trophy for the second successive year. [Ralph, J, [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24241844-19742,00.html "Terry Wallace says Cats flag certainty"] The Herald Sun, 26 August 2008, accessed 28 August 2008] In the process, Selwood also claimed the third-longest all-time winning streak by an individual player in VFL/AFL history, having won 25 games in succession before a mid-season loss to Collingwood.McClure, G, [http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/so-thats-where-that-fan-got-to/2008/04/29/1209234865339.html "So that's where that fan got to"] , The Age, 30 April 2008, accessed 30 April 2008] His standout season was rewarded when he was selected to play for Victoria in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match All-Star event. [ [http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=59061 "Vics name eight Cats"] afl.com.au, 4 May 2008, accessed 4 May 2008] 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. [Bews, A, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/05/07/13647_geelong_sports.html "Game's state of pride"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 7 May 2008, accessed 7 May 2008] In addition, he was selected to the preliminary 2008 All-Australian squad, placed sixth for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA Most Valuable Player, and finished third in voting for the Robert Rose Award as the AFLPA Most Courageous Player. [Siragusa, L, [http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=66551 "Didak nominated for AFLPA MVP despite suspension"] afl.com.au, 28 August 2008, accessed 28 August 2008] Selwood also polled 19 votes in the Brownlow Medal to finish fifth overall and second amongst all Geelong players. The Cats qualified for the finals series and progressed to the Grand Final for the second consecutive year, but were eventually defeated by Hawthorn. Selwood's performance, during which he gathered 29 disposals—including a team-high nine contested possessions—six marks, six tackles, and six inside 50s, was recognised as he finished fourth in Norm Smith Medal voting. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/norm-smith-medal-votes/2008/09/27/1222217592483.html "Norm Smith Medal votes"] , The Age, 28 September 2008, accessed 29 September 2008]

Selwood's year, during which he averaged more than 25 disposals, 4 marks, and 4 tackles per game, was also rewarded with a top 5 finishing in the Carji Greeves Medal. [Williams, R, [http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=65818 "Joel Corey beats Gary Ablett to win Cats' B&F"] , The Herald Sun, 3 October 2008, accessed 4 October 2008] He finished the season ranked within the top ten in the league for total possessions (613), disposals per game (25.5), and total handballs (327). His total of 63 free kicks earned during the season was also the most ever recorded by a player in AFL history, breaking the previous mark of 54 set by Luke Darcy five years earlier. [Broad, B, [http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=65818 "Young Cat keeping clean record"] , afl.com.au, 19 August 2008, accessed 4 October 2008]

With his rookie contract due to expire, concern mounted during the year over Geelong's ability to retain Selwood beyond the season.Sheridan, N, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cats-selwood-still-to-resign/2008/04/24/1208743155618.html "Cats' Selwood still to re-sign"] , The Age, 25 April 2008, accessed 8 May 2008] With almost half of their premiership-winning list out of contract, the Cats could only offer contracts paying significantly less than available elsewhere. 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. [Sheridan, N, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/selwood-inks-deal-with-geelong/2008/05/07/1210131067940.html "Selwood inks deal with Geelong"] , The Age, 8 May 2008, accessed 8 May 2008]

Player profile

Selwood is primarily regarded as an inside midfielder, where he is noted for his consistent physical approach to contests, ability to find space out on the field, and aptitude for winning the football.cite book|title=Year of the Cat - The Inside Story |first=Simon |last=Townley | year=2007|pages=19|isbn=978-0-9592863-7-3] AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews has complimented Selwood as being "already the best wet-weather player in the game", while teammates Joel Corey and Cameron Ling have also acknowledged his maturity and regard as one of the most physical players in the game.Hanlon, P, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/03/08/1204780133774.html "What next, boy wonder?"] , The Age, 9 March 2008, accessed 17 March 2008] Shields, J, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/09/03/6545_news_pf.html "First-year player has made a big impact"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 3 September 2007, accessed 17 March 2008] Two-time Most Courageous Player Award winner Jonathan Brown has also praised Selwood for his physical and courageous approach to winning the football, describing him as "one of the blokes (all players) within the AFL love watching". Selwood himself has made note of his career effort to "work really hard on the basics",Dole, N, [http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/afl/superb-run/1280492.aspx "Superb run"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 24 September 2008, accessed 4 October 2008] and that despite his admission of "not (being) the fastest player, or most skillful" his hard running ability, tackling and one percent plays are essential elements to his overall game. His leadership ability has often been praised since his arrival at the club, leading to predictions of a future post as club captain.

Selwood's all-around ability to contribute as an attacking inside or outside midfielder has been highlighted by his regular ranking among the top five at Geelong for total disposals, clearances, first possessions, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, tackles, inside 50s, and score assists during his first two seasons at the club. [ [http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/team_player_rankings?yr=2007&sp=SE&rt=TA&fc=E3&tid=107 "PRO STATS"] , ProStats.com, accessed 17 March 2008]

Although his kicking skills statistically carry an average efficiency of 76%, [ [http://superstats.heraldsun.com.au/profile/250321.html "Herald Sun Superstats"] , accessed 17 March 2008] his decision-making ability is often used to counteract his productivity with the football. His lack of natural leg speed, however, is considered one of his more notable weaknesses. [Niall, J, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cats-lack-talent/2007/05/02/1177788224851.html?page=2 "Cats have more hype than talent"] , The Age, 3 May 2007, accessed 17 March 2008]

tatistics

: "Statistics are correct as of 29 September 2008 (2008 Grand Final)" [http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-geelong-cats--joel-selwood "Joel Selwood Statistics"] , footywire.com, accessed 29 September 2008]

Honours

*"Team"
**AFL Premiership with Geelong: 2007
**AFL McClelland Trophy with Geelong: 2007, 2008

*"Individual"
**AFL Rising Star Award: 2007
**AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2007
**Geelong F.C. Best First Year Player: 2007
**"Fox Sports" Best First Year AFL Player: 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) [Green, B, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/10/02/7454_geelong_sports.html "Corey predicts Cats teammate Selwood will only get better"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 2 October 2007, accessed 11 February 2008]
**Only player in VFL/AFL history to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in an AFL Premiership within the same year
**First Geelong player to win the AFL Rising Star Award [ [http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/selwood-wins-afls-rising-star-award/20075905-xdp.html "For Selwood, only the flag really counts"] , AAP.com, 5 September 2007, accessed 4 November 2007]
**Most free kicks ever received in a single season by a player (63 free kicks)Broad, B, [http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=65818 "Young Cat keeping clean record"] , afl.com.au, 19 August 2008, accessed 28 August 2008]
**Most tackles ever in a season by a first-year player (92 tackles)
**Third-longest all-time streak for most consecutive victories by an AFL player (25 wins)

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. [ [http://www.aflpa.com.au/index.cfm?id=AF3369C1-04EB-094C-808FA128713DD777 "AFLPA Mother of the Year Award"] , 6 May 2007, accessed 8 November 2007] Selwood is also a descendant of the three Crapper brothers, each of whom played VFL football in the 1930s and are grand-uncles to Selwood's mother Maree. [ [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/articles/1093945.html?src=search "Selwood's follow family tradition"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 28 November 2007, accessed 2 February 2008]

Having won the NAB-sponsored AFL Rising Star award, Selwood has become actively involved in several promotions for the National Australia Bank. In addition to his ambassadorial role for NAB, Selwood has also appeared in several television advertisements for the bank. [ [http://www.nab.com.au/Personal_Finance/0,,94807,00.html?campaignID=RUC&WT.mc_id=RUC "NAB - Win $20,000 for a NAB Personal Loan Advertisement"] NAB.com, accessed 5 August 2008] Along with his parents and brothers, Joel is also 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. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Brotherly-love-put-aside-at-Geelong/2007/06/16/1181414598688.html "Brotherly love put aside at Geelong"] , The Age, 16 June 2007, accessed 19 September 2007] 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. [ [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/general/hurst-calls-for-explayers/1207552.html "Hurst calls for ex-players"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 22 March 2008, accessed 23 March 2008]

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. [ [http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/Rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=15339&cat=948 "Asics Selwood/Inglis Football Boots"] , accessed 24 April 2008] [ [http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/Rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=15343 "Asics Selwood Football Boots"] , accessed 24 April 2008] Selwood has also been featured in a special edition Monopoly AFL premiership gameboard, occupying Bow Street. [Breen, D [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/03/14/12181_news.html "Cats strut Monopoly boardwalk"] , The Geelong Advertiser, 14 March 2008, accessed 5 August 2008]

A life-long supporter of the Cats growing up in Bendigo, [ [http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/general/rookies-have-lots-to-do/543063.html "Rookies have lots to do"] , The Bendigo Advertiser, 28 December 2007, accessed 8 November 2007] Selwood currently houses with a host family in Geelong, along with teammate Tom Hawkins. [Gullan, S, [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,8659,20936033-23211,00.html "Dad's jumper fits Hawkins fine"] The Herald Sun, 16 December 2007, accessed 8 November 2007]

ee also

*List of Australian rules football families
*List of 2007 AFL debuts

Footnotes

References

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External links

*Geelplayer|ref=15610
*AflRleague|ref=J/Joel_Selwood.html
* [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/hard-selwood/2007/08/31/1188067368443.html August 2007 Interview with The Age]

Persondata
NAME = Selwood, Joel Anthony
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian rules footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 26 May 1988
PLACE OF BIRTH = Victoria, Australia
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =