Adam Selwood: Former West Coast Eagle Dies at 41 After Twin’s Death

When a family loses one son, it’s a tragedy; losing two within months is a heartbreaking ordeal that leaves a community reeling. That’s the story of the Selwood family of Australian rules football, where former West Coast Eagles stalwart Adam Selwood died on 17 May 2025 at age 41, just months after his identical twin brother Troy’s death by suicide in early February 2025.

Born: 1 May 1984 ·
Died: 17 May 2025 (aged 41) ·
AFL Club: West Coast Eagles ·
Seasons: 11 (2003–2013) ·
Children: Lenny and Billie ·
Twin Brother: Troy Selwood

Eight key facts about Adam Selwood, from his full name to the AFL greats who attended his memorial, are compiled below.

The pattern: a life of football, family, and sudden, devastating loss — with many questions still unanswered.

What happened with Adam Selwood?

Adam Selwood, a key defender for the West Coast Eagles, was found dead in Perth on 17 May 2025, according to 10 News (local television news). His death came just three months after his identical twin brother, Troy Selwood, died by suicide in early February 2025, as reported by ABC News (public broadcaster).

When did Adam Selwood die?

• Date: 17 May 2025 (ABC News)
• Age: 41 (7NEWS)
• Location: Perth (10 News)

The implication: within 15 months, the Selwood parents lost both of their twin sons — an unfathomable grief that has shaken the AFL community.

What did Troy Selwood pass away from?

Troy Selwood’s cause of death has not been formally released by the coroner, but ABC News reported it as suicide. According to 9 News (commercial television news), Troy had been battling mental health issues for 20 years. His final wish, confirmed by the family to 7NEWS, was to donate his brain for concussion research — a decision that highlights the ongoing crisis of CTE in Australian rules football.

Why was Troy Selwood’s brain donated?

• The donation was Troy’s expressed wish before his death (7NEWS)
• The family has been vocal about CTE awareness, given the link between repeated concussions and long-term brain injury in footballers (7NEWS)

The trade-off: the Selwood family’s openness about Troy’s struggles and brain donation may help other families, but it also exposes the painful toll of football’s physical legacy.

Who did Adam Selwood marry?

Adam Selwood was married to Zara, as stated in multiple news reports and a family statement shared on Reddit, according to 7NEWS. The couple had two children, Lenny and Billie.

Is Adam Selwood married? Are Adam and Zara still together?

• Yes, Adam was married to Zara and they remained together until his death (7NEWS)
• He was described by his wife as a loving husband and incredible father (7NEWS)

Why this matters: the Selwood family’s private life was thrust into public view by tragedy, but their children now face a future without both their father and uncle.

Which Selwood brothers are twins?

Adam and Troy Selwood were identical twins, born on 1 May 1984, as confirmed by 7NEWS. Both played in the AFL: Adam for West Coast Eagles, and Troy for Brisbane Lions and Geelong. They were four years older than their brother Joel Selwood, the Geelong legend, and six years older than Scott Selwood, who also played at Geelong.

Are Adam and Troy Selwood twins?

• Yes, they were identical twins (7NEWS)
• Born on 1 May 1984 (7NEWS)
• Both played in the AFL (ABC News)

The pattern: the Selwood name is synonymous with AFL excellence, but the twin bond between Adam and Troy now carries a uniquely tragic weight.

What did Adam Selwood say at Troy’s funeral?

Adam delivered an emotional eulogy at Troy’s funeral in February 2025. According to ABC News, he spoke about their inseparable bond and Troy’s legacy as a father and footballer. The service was attended by dozens of AFL players and officials.

How did Adam eulogise his brother?

• He described Troy as his “other half” and a devoted father (7NEWS)
• He honoured Troy’s decision to donate his brain for research (ABC News)

The catch: the same voice that eulogised a brother would be silenced only three months later.

For more on AFL players, read about Chris Judd’s career and State of Origin updates.

Voices from the tragedy

“Adam was a loving husband and incredible father. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”

— Family statement via 7NEWS

“Adam was a much-loved former player, coach and staff member. The West Coast Eagles community is in mourning.”

— West Coast Eagles official statement via 7NEWS

“Former West Coast player Adam Selwood dies months after twin brother’s death.”

— Headline, ABC News

The voices of family and club underline the depth of a tragedy that has spread beyond the Selwood name.

For the Selwood family, the double tragedy leaves a legacy of grief and a call for greater awareness of mental health and brain injury. For the AFL community, the loss of Adam and Troy within months is a gut-wrenching reminder that the price of the game can extend far beyond the final siren. The choice for the sport’s governing bodies is clear: invest in mental health support and concussion research, or risk losing more sons.

For a deeper look into the devastating sequence of events, readers can find the full story of the Selwood family tragedy on Reef Brief.

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