Toast Farewell Joel Selwood, champion of the game and legend of the Geelong Football Club

[Vikingnz]

No secret I'm not a fan of Geelong but credit where it's due - a magnificent career and the way he's carried himself around the GF, in particular after it, has been exemplary.

 

[My Tilly]

I do believe that he invented the lifting the arm technique. And he really paved the way for the way that guys like Ginnivan and Weightman play these days. A great player but I just didn't like this aspect of his game.

First thing people will remember is his insane courage. That is what made his name.

 

[zeggie]

Just thought I'd duck in and add my congratulations on a great career.

 

[Satan]

Same day 5 cats got the flick

Sparkling mid among five Cats delisted after GF success
Coincidence surely

 

[Dinsdale]

bit like when Crawford retired after 2008.

Selwood goes out with his last game a Premiership win, thats the way to do it rather than wring out another year or 2. Good luck to him.

 

[danster168]

First thing people will remember is his insane courage. That is what made his name.

not solely no. ask most neutrals. you can't think of Selwood and not think of the ducking etc. The comments thus far in this thread have already shown that.

 

[danster168]

Be gone now get out.

Why? Is this not the time and place to discuss his legacy as a player now that he's retired?

you're strangely defensive of Selwood who had a clear reputation for ducking and raising the arm. He still had an amazing career.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Has he ducked off officially?

His fourth and final duck was last Saturday.

When Archie put another medallion around his neck

 

[ourgameplandoesntwork]

Finished out on top. A great player for a long period of time. Hard as nails. A slight blight on his career was definitely the way he played for free kicks for the entirety of his career which hurts his legacy in my eyes. It's the elephant in the room.

It’s smart. Advantages the team.
Anyone who thinks it tarnishes him is an idiot. Blame the players who keep getting him high.

 

[Hawker_85]

Hated him. Which is the highest compliment I can give to a player from a club other than the one I support.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Couldn't have scripted a better career, and a part from a little luck in being drafted to Geelong, his achievements say alot about his character.

It's been a classy career.

 

[danster168]

It’s smart. Advantages the team.
Anyone who thinks it tarnishes him is an idiot.

that's definitely one side to the argument. Does it tarnish Ginnivan and Weightman? I think it does. But each to their own. Supporters of their own club will always call it smart.

 

[ourgameplandoesntwork]

that's definitely one side to the argument. Does it tarnish Ginnivan and Weightman? I think it does. But each to their own. Supporters of their own club will always call it smart.

He plays within the rules and gets an advantage for his team. He is the last one to blame if you don’t like the look.

Blame the players who can’t figure out his technique and continue to get him high. Or blame the rule makers for allowing it.

 

[VinnieB]

Great player and brilliant captain who lead from the front. Deserves to go off as one of Geelong’s greatest players.
Enjoyed watching him play.

 

[Hinkley29]

Couldn't have scripted a better career, and a part from a little luck in being drafted to Geelong, his achievements say alot about his character.

It's been a classy career.

He impacted Geelong more than Geelong impacted him.

We were lucky to draft him, not the other way around.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

One of the most impressive resumes you’ll ever see in football.

A legend of the game.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

It’s smart. Advantages the team.
Anyone who thinks it tarnishes him is an idiot. Blame the players who keep getting him high.

I understand supporting your players, but calling people idiots for not applauding the exploitation of rules created to keep players safe is idiotic in itself.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

He impacted Geelong more than Geelong impacted him.

We were lucky to draft him, not the other way around.

You've taken what I said out of context, if he were drafted to essendon he wouldn't have had anywhere near the career he has had.

I never suggested he didn't contribute to geelong's success, but whatever. Not sure why you're being defensive about my comment.

 

[year of the cat]

Only a matter of time before he’s inducted as a Legend of the AFL. The most revered player in Geelong’s long history. And that includes the Ablett’s.

 

[BigVic]

A legend of the game.

 

[Hinkley29]

You've taken what I said out of context, if he were drafted to essendon he wouldn't have had anywhere near the career he has had.

I never suggested he didn't contribute to geelong's success, but whatever. Not sure why you're being defensive about my comment.

Not being defensive at all.

If he was drafted to Essendon, I am convinced that they would not be the basket case they are today. He wouldn't have accepted it, he would have demanded better.

He was going to be successful no matter where he was drafted and he would have dragged the club with him. He is that good. The greatest footy leader of my lifetime.

 

[kickazz]

Competitive beast.

At times he carried the side - sounds strange for a team that only missed the finals once, but his will power and leading by example lifted the cats on so many occasions.

2013 I think was his best year and a game at the SCG perhaps his best game - I remember one moment that sums up his career. Hard to describe, but was in a contest for the ball and was getting knocked about, losing balance, and by all reasonable means should have fallen over; but somehow he just kept going, grabbed the pill, stayed on his feet and got it forward to a teammate. It wasn't silky or sublime; it was desperate, effective, unyielding and inspirational.

 

[Xtreme]

One of the greatest and most decorated players of tbe 21st Century.

Is fitting he leaves our great game in the same way he started. With a Premiership Medal.

Always been a class act, on and off the field

Enjoy your retirement mate, it was a privilege to watch you play (except against Carlton )

Prepare for backfire tag when he announces he's signed a new 3 year deal (playing one year, coaching the next 2)

 

[tugga]

He won a lot of his haters over on the weekend.
I've never subscribed to him being an onfield grub. Most players who play that long are going to do a few things that raise eyebrows.
One of the greatest captains of all time and, more importantly, a genuinely good human being.

 

[SSSSSS]

Great player. Will remember him for being both a competitive beast and a cheating ducking campaigner.

Ah well. Nobody is perfect.