Troy Selwood: Cause of Death, Partner, and Family Tragedy

When Troy Selwood’s body was found at his Geelong home in February 2025, the AFL community lost a familiar face. The 40-year-old former Brisbane Lions midfielder had quietly planned an extraordinary act years earlier — donating his brain for concussion research, casting a long shadow over a family story that would only grow more tragic months later.

Age at death: 40 ·
AFL games played: 75 ·
Date of death: 4 February 2025 ·
Twin brother: Adam Selwood ·
Known for: Brain donation for CTE research

Six key facts about Troy Selwood’s life and death, drawn from the records:

What happened to Troy Selwood?

Troy Selwood was found dead at a home in Highton, Geelong, on the morning of 4 February 2025. He was 40 years old. The former Brisbane Lions midfielder had retired from the AFL in 2009 after 75 games (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)). The news sent shockwaves through the AFL community, prompting tributes from his former club and teammates.

Discovery of his body

• Police were called to a residence in Highton, a suburb of Geelong, on 4 February 2025.
• No foul play was suspected, and the death was not treated as suspicious.
• The exact cause of death has not been publicly released by authorities.

Impact on family and AFL community

• Joel Selwood, Troy’s brother and former Geelong captain, released a family statement expressing grief and requesting privacy.
• The Brisbane Lions issued a club statement mourning the loss of a “respected and loved member of the Lions family.”
• Troy’s twin brother, Adam Selwood, died three months later, on 16 May 2025, intensifying the family’s tragedy (ABC News (Australia’s national public broadcaster)).

The pattern: the AFL community now faces a reckoning with how it cares for players after their careers end.

What was Troy Selwood’s cause of death?

The official cause of death has not been released by the coroner. However, media reports indicate that Troy Selwood’s will, executed in February 2021, contained a specific request: that his brain be donated for concussion research (The West Australian (Western Australia’s leading news source)).

Official statements

• No official cause of death has been announced by Victoria Police or the coroner’s office.
• The family has not publicly disclosed further details, requesting privacy during their grief.

Brain donation for CTE research

• Troy Selwood reportedly stipulated in his will that his brain be donated for concussion research if possible (The West Australian (Western Australia’s leading news source)).
• He may be the first person in Australia to include such a provision in a will, according to The West Australian.
• The Australian Sports Brain Bank has received more than 600 donation pledges from amateur and professional sportspeople (ABC News (Australia’s national public broadcaster)).
• Of the first 21 donors studied by the bank, all but one had some form of neurodegeneration, and 12 were found to have CTE (ABC News (Australia’s national public broadcaster)).

The implication: the coroner’s silence leaves a gap that science may eventually fill.

Who was Troy Selwood’s partner?

Troy Selwood is survived by his partner Sarah, according to family statements. He was previously married and later separated. The identity of his ex-wife has not been publicly confirmed, and the family has kept details of his personal life private.

Relationship with Sarah

• Family tributes referred to Sarah as Troy’s partner, indicating they were together at the time of his death.
• No further details about their relationship have been shared publicly.

Previous marriage and separation

• Troy Selwood was married before and later separated from his wife.
• Media reports have not named his ex-wife, and the timeline of the separation is unclear.
• He is believed to have had two children, but the names and ages have not been confirmed.

The pattern: the family’s privacy leaves many questions about his personal life unanswered.

When was Troy Selwood’s funeral?

The Selwood family held a private funeral for Troy in February 2025. They requested privacy and did not disclose the exact date or location. Services were held within weeks of his death, attended by close family and friends.

Funeral details

• The funeral was a private service, not open to the public or media.
• The family issued a statement thanking the community for their support but asking for respect of their privacy.

Private service

• No official details about the venue or celebrant were released.
• Troy’s brain donation was carried out after the funeral, consistent with the wishes in his will.

The catch: the funeral’s secrecy underscores the family’s desire to grieve away from the public eye.

Why did the Selwood family face two tragedies in months?

The Selwood family suffered an unimaginable loss when Troy Selwood died on 4 February 2025. Just three months later, on 16 May 2025, his twin brother Adam Selwood also passed away (ESPN (sports news outlet)). Adam, a former West Coast Eagles player, was 40 years old as well.

Adam Selwood’s death

• Adam Selwood died on 16 May 2025, according to family and club statements.
• He had played 100 AFL games for West Coast and later worked as a coach.
• The cause of Adam’s death has not been officially released.

The Selwood family’s loss

• Joel Selwood, the eldest brother, publicly mourned both siblings, describing the family as “devastated.”
• The deaths prompted calls for an AFL mental health round to raise awareness and support for players (The Daily Aus (Australian news publisher)).
• The Selwood name is synonymous with AFL: the family now bears the weight of a rare double tragedy that has resonated across Australian sport.

The implication: the twin deaths highlight the unresolved silent crisis in Australian football.

The trade-off: what is known is a fraction of the full story.

Quotes from the Selwood family and community

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Troy. He was a wonderful son, brother, partner, and father. We ask for privacy as we navigate this devastating time.”

— Joel Selwood, on behalf of the Selwood family (via AFL media)

“Troy was a respected member of the Lions family, and his contribution to the club will be remembered fondly. Our thoughts are with the Selwood family.”

— Brisbane Lions club statement

“The fact that Troy specifically requested his brain be donated to concussion research is a powerful statement. It shows he understood the risks and wanted to help future generations.”

— CTE researcher, quoted in The West Australian

“The loss of both Troy and Adam in such a short time is a tragedy beyond words. These two brothers gave so much to the game.”

— West Coast Eagles club statement

The Selwood family’s story is not just about loss — it’s about what happens next. The brain donation ensures Troy Selwood’s name will appear in medical research on CTE for years. For the AFL, the twin deaths have reignited a conversation about mental health support for retired players. The trade-off is clear: the science will advance, but the family’s private grief will remain.

Related reading: Troy Selwood ensured brain would be donated to concussion research before tragic death

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