Troy Selwood ensured brain would be donated to concussion research before tragic death by suicide

AFL star Troy Selwood ensured his brain would be donated to concussion research before his tragic death by suicide.

The football world was rocked last year by the loss of both the 40-year-old and his twin brother Adam, a West Coast legend, to suicide within a three-month span.

Selwood wrote in his will, which was executed in February 2021, it was his “wish to donate my brain for research for concussion in sport if possible.”

A number of former footballers have had their brains donated to concussion researchers by their families after their deaths, but it is believed Selwood is the first to stipulate the request in their will.

Several players have been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy — a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma — including the legendary Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer and Adam Selwood’s West Coast premiership teammate Adam Hunter.

Selwood, who played 75 games for Brisbane, suffered a number of concussions over the course of his career, including a sickening clash with Richmond’s Alex Rance in 2009 which left both players knocked out.

Both Troy and Adam stipulated their wish to donate their organs in their wills.

Selwood had served as head of football at Geelong Grammar after his AFL retirement and one of his former students Josh Lindsay, who was selected by West Coast with pick No.19 in last year’s national draft, said last year he wanted to help carry on his legacy.

“He was really good for me, and really helped me to get into this position today,” Lindsay said.

“To see him pass away at the start of the year was a huge shock.

“I was quite devastated for a fair few weeks. I just want to continue carrying on his legacy.

“He’s helped me in a lot of ways, and to this day I still carry that on.”

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