Geelong captain Joel Selwood has announced his retirement from the AFL after 355 games for the Cats.
Selwood confirmed the news at a press conference on Wednesday, five days after lifting the premiership cup at the MCG.
Selwood becomes the club’s third successive premiership captain to retire after leading the team to a flag.
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He revealed he made the decision to call time on his career about six week before the grand final, and says Saturday’s victory did not influence the decision.
“It’s been unbelievable – I’ve had great support the whole way along,” Selwood said.
“The journey has been good.”
Touching Cats moment during run out
The 34-year-old won four premierships and played 355 games.
Selwood was pick No.7 in the 2006 draft, and was a member of Geelong’s 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2022 premiership sides.
He also holds the AFL’s record for most games as captain, having led the Cats for 226 matches.
Cats coach Chris Scott could not praise his retiring captain enough.
“When you take everything into consideration, he is the best footy player I’ve ever seen,” Scott said.
“The greatest going out on top, I can’t think of a better way for Joel to finish.”
Why Joel Selwood is one of the AFL’s most revered figures
Selwood melted hearts throughout his glittering AFL career, including at the grand final against the Sydney Swans on Saturday.
As Geelong were coming up the tunnel to run onto the MCG, club legend Gary Ablett Jr was waiting with three-year-old son Levi.
Selwood scooped up Levi and took him through the banner and onto the ground.
Then, during the team’s lap of honour after the game, Selwood found the club’s head waterboy Sammy Moorfoot in the front row of the Cats cheer squad.
Selwood gave him a hug over the fence, before inviting him onto the ground.
Moorfoot completed the team’s lap of honour while wearing Jeremy Cameron’s premiership medal, before joining the team in the sheds.
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