Joel Selwood thanks AFL world after 'toughest two weeks' mourning brother Troy Selwood
Updated . First published at
Geelong legend Joel Selwood has spoken out on behalf of his family, just days after they said a heartbreaking goodbye to their late brother and son, Troy.
The Selwoods farewelled Troy at a packed GMHBA Stadium last Friday, after the 40-year-old passed away two weeks ago.
Troy played 75 games for the Brisbane Lions and was the 2012 Geelong VFL premiership captain and had hundreds of mourners from his time at both clubs, as well as Geelong Grammar, show up to his funeral.
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"The past two weeks have been some of the toughest we've faced as a family," Joel wrote on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon.
"However, we are truly grateful for the overwhelming love and support from so many who have been touched by Troy's passing.
The Selwood family farewell Troy Selwood at his funeral. Instagram
"While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace.
"Thank you for standing by us during this difficult time.
"Love The Selwoods."
The words were accompanied with a devastating photo of Joel, wife Brit, mother Maree, father Bryce, brothers Adam and Scott along with their partners Fiona and Morgan, holding hands as Troy's hearse passed them by on Kardinia Park.
Joel Selwood delivers his eulogy during Troy Selwood's service. AFL Photos via Getty Images
All three of Troy's brothers, twin Adam, Joel and Scott, cried as they shared stories of their childhoods and football careers alongside Troy last week.
Joel shared stories of Troy's love of "family and footy" and how the two often moulded into one, making note of his special connection to late Cats trainer Vic Fuller.
"Footy and family, that's what he loved, it often blurred into one," Joel said last Friday at Troy's funeral.
"In Troy's job as VFL manager, he and Vic would drive to games together. He and Vic would talk, a lot, rarely would they come up for air.
Troy Selwood of the Lions leads the team from the field after victory. Getty
"Them being together is how I like to think of them right now. Vic would have been up there, waiting at the gates.
"He would have said, 'what the bloody hell are you doing up here so soon?'. They would have hugged, started talking and they wouldn't have stopped."
Mother Maree shared a heartbreaking poem through tears, while Adam dubbed Troy his "mirror, fiercest competitor and built-in best friend".
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