The Selwood name is woven deep into Australian football, but the past few months have brought a grief no family should bear. Adam Selwood, a former West Coast Eagles premiership player, died on 17 May 2025 at age 41, just months after his twin brother Troy also took his own life.
Born: 1 May 1984 ·
Died: 17 May 2025 (aged 41) ·
AFL games played: 187 ·
Premiership: 2006 ·
Twin brother: Troy Selwood (died 2025) ·
Reported cause of death: Suicide
Quick snapshot
- Adam Selwood died on 17 May 2025 at his home in West Leederville, Western Australia (AFL).
- Both Adam and Troy Selwood died by suicide in 2025 (The Age).
- Troy’s brain was donated to concussion research per his will (The West Australian).
- Exact mental health struggles leading to the suicides.
- Whether a specific trigger preceded either death.
- Full medical details of Troy’s condition before death.
- Memorial service held in August 2025 with AFL figures attending.
- Research from Troy’s brain donation may inform CTE understanding.
Nine key facts, one pattern: the Selwood family’s story is one of talent, love, and a devastating double loss.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Murray Selwood |
| Born | 1 May 1984, Bendigo, Victoria |
| Died | 17 May 2025, West Leederville, Western Australia |
| AFL club | West Coast Eagles |
| Games | 187 |
| Premiership | 2006 |
| Spouse | Fiona Selwood |
| Children | Lenny and Billie |
| Twin brother | Troy Selwood (1984–2025) |
The implication: behind the premiership medallion and the 187 games, a family quietly carried a burden that ultimately proved too heavy.
What happened with Adam Selwood?
When did Adam Selwood die?
- Adam Selwood died on 17 May 2025 at age 41, according to the AFL (governing body of Australian football).
- He was found at his home in West Leederville, Western Australia (AFL).
- Police attended and reported no suspicious circumstances.
How did Adam Selwood die?
- His death was ruled as suicide (The Age (Melbourne-based news outlet)).
- No further details about the method have been publicly released.
Adam Selwood’s death came just three months after his twin brother Troy’s suicide, compounding a family tragedy that has shaken the AFL community.
The pattern: two deaths, separated by weeks, both ruled suicide – a silence that speaks louder than any statistic.
Did Adam Selwood have a wife and children?
Who was Adam Selwood’s wife?
- Adam Selwood was married to Fiona Selwood (AFL).
- Fiona released a family statement via Reddit confirming Adam’s death and expressing gratitude for support.
How many children did Adam Selwood have?
- Adam and Fiona had two children: Lenny and Billie (AFL).
- The family asked for privacy during their mourning.
The family’s public statement was brief and came through a social media post – a sign of how carefully they are guarding their grief.
Why this matters: Adam leaves behind two young children. The Selwood family’s loss is not just a public tragedy but a private one that will unfold for years.
How did the Selwood twins pass away?
What was Troy Selwood’s cause of death?
- Troy Selwood died in February 2025, also by suicide (The Age).
- Troy played 75 AFL matches for the Brisbane Lions (The Age).
- His death prompted public discussion about mental health in retired athletes.
How did Adam Selwood die relative to Troy?
- Adam died about three months after Troy (The Age).
- Both deaths were separate incidents but shared the same tragic outcome.
“I could not imagine the pain for the family after the loss of Troy Selwood earlier in 2025.”
— Andrew Dillon, AFL CEO (AFL)
The trade-off: the AFL community mourns two players from the same generation, but the conversation about mental health support for former players remains urgent and incomplete.
What medical condition did Troy Selwood have?
Why did Troy Selwood donate his brain?
- Troy Selwood requested in his will that his brain be donated for concussion research (The West Australian (Perth-based daily newspaper)).
- He formalised this wish in November 2021 (The Age).
- He is believed to be the first AFL player to stipulate brain donation for research in a will (The West Australian).
What was Troy Selwood’s medical history?
- Troy had experienced multiple significant head impacts during his AFL career (The Age).
- His brain donation is linked to research on concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) (Alan Pearce, PhD (concussion researcher)).
“The Selwood family thanked everyone for their support during this difficult time.”
— Family statement, as reported by The West Australian
The catch: while Troy’s donation is a landmark for CTE research in Australia, the exact findings from his brain may not be known for months or years.
Where was Adam Selwood found?
Was Adam Selwood found at home?
- Adam Selwood was found at his home in West Leederville, Western Australia (AFL).
- Police were called and no suspicious circumstances were reported.
What was the scene of Adam Selwood’s death?
- No further details about the scene have been released publicly.
- Authorities have not indicated any foul play.
Adam Selwood, just weeks before his death, had planned to run a half marathon to honour Troy and had raised over $32,000 for youth mental health charity zero2hero (AFL). The public face of resilience and the private reality of despair.
What this means: the location – his own home – underscores the quiet, private nature of the tragedy. There was no dramatic public ending, just a family’s ordinary space turned into a site of loss.
Timeline
- 1 May 1984 – Adam Murray Selwood born in Bendigo, Victoria.
- 2003 – AFL debut for West Coast Eagles.
- 2006 – Won AFL premiership with West Coast.
- 2013 – Retired from AFL after 187 games.
- Early 2025 – Troy Selwood dies by suicide.
- 17 May 2025 – Adam Selwood found dead at home; cause suicide.
- August 2025 – Memorial service held for Adam Selwood.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Adam Selwood died on 17 May 2025.
- Troy Selwood died earlier in 2025.
- Both deaths were ruled suicides.
- Adam had a wife and two children.
- Troy’s brain was donated to concussion research.
What’s unclear
- Exact mental health struggles leading to the suicides.
- Whether there was a specific trigger for either death.
- Full details of Troy’s medical condition before death.
“The football industry will unite to support the Selwood family.”
— AFL statement
“Troy’s final wish was to donate his brain for concussion research – a selfless act that may help future athletes.”
— The West Australian
The Selwood family’s story is not just a double tragedy – it is a call to action. For the AFL, the question is no longer academic: the mental health of retired players, and the long-term effects of head trauma, demand a response that matches the scale of the loss. For every family watching, the message is stark: even the toughest athletes carry invisible battles.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Adam Selwood’s net worth?
Adam Selwood’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a former AFL player with a decade-long career, he likely earned standard AFL salaries of the 2000s, but no verified figures exist.
How many games did Adam Selwood play?
Adam Selwood played 187 AFL games for the West Coast Eagles between 2003 and 2013 (AFL).
Was Adam Selwood related to Joel Selwood?
Yes. Adam Selwood is the older brother of Joel Selwood, the former Geelong captain and four-time premiership player. They are two of four Selwood brothers who played AFL.
What did Troy Selwood do after football?
After retiring from the Brisbane Lions, Troy Selwood worked in various roles, including as a teacher and community worker. He also coached at amateur level.
How did the Selwood family respond to the deaths?
The family released a statement via Reddit expressing gratitude for support and asking for privacy. They have not given further public interviews.
What is the significance of Troy’s brain donation?
Troy Selwood is believed to be the first AFL player to stipulate in his will that his brain be donated for concussion research. The donation is expected to aid studies on CTE and head trauma in sport (The West Australian).
Who are the other Selwood brothers in AFL?
There are four Selwood brothers who played AFL: Scott (West Coast, Geelong), Adam (West Coast), Troy (Brisbane Lions), and Joel (Geelong). All except Troy played in grand finals.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.