Calls for the AFL to introduce a dedicated mental health round have strengthened following the death of former player Adam Selwood at the age of 41.
Selwood died on Saturday in Perth, months after his twin brother and fellow AFL footballer, Troy, died by suicide.
The cause of Adam Selwood’s death has not been confirmed.
All four of the Selwood brothers - Adam, Troy, Joel, and Scott – have had distinguished football careers.
Adam Selwood
Adam Selwood was drafted to the West Coast Eagles in 2002 and played 187 games in the AFL before retiring in 2013.
Notably, he was a part of the West Coast team that won the premiership in 2006.
After he retired from playing, Selwood stayed involved with the game and the West Coast Eagles, helping set up the club’s AFLW team.
A moment of silence was held for Selwood before Sunday afternoon’s match between the Eagles and St Kilda in Perth, an emotionally charged fixture where the Eagles claimed their first win of the season.
Calls grow for Mental Health Round
Following the announcement of Selwood’s death, calls for the AFL to introduce a themed round focusing on mental health have increased.
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Former player Wayne Schwass, the founder of mental health organisation PukaUp, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “It takes courageous leadership. I would urge the AFL, the leaders, to… proactively begin to change attitudes, perceptions and abolish stigma. There is an enormous opportunity here if they are willing to be brave and bold… the AFL needs to take a seat at this table.”
Western Australia Deputy Premier told The West Australian the state government was “very keen” to discuss the possibility of a mental health round with the AFL and other organisations.
The AFL has several themed rounds each season. For example, Round 10 and Round 11 of the 2025 season are the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, honouring the “extraordinary contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, cultures, and communities to Australian football.”
What they said
AFL CEO Andrew Dillion said: "Adam was a premiership player and outstanding contributor to the game at the highest level, and then latterly continued to work in the game in coaching and other roles, but first and foremost he was a young man who gave so much time and love to those around him.”
The AFL Players’ Association said it was “shattered” by Adam Selwood’s death. It reiterated that free mental health support is available to past and current players and their families.
West Coast Eagles captain Oscar Allen told Fox Footy: “I urge anyone out there who is struggling with anything, please reach out to the helplines, friends reach out to each other, because we are heartbroken and we want to give all our support to the Selwoods.”
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