AFL champion Joel Selwood’s first move post-footy career has been revealed, with the four-time premiership Cat joining the Melbourne Storm.
As first reported by the Herald Sun, Selwood has joined the Storm in a part-time role as a leadership coach, turning down a host of rival organisations keen for his signature.
The 34-year-old led Geelong for 11 seasons, winning his first premiership as captain in his final game against Sydney. He’s widely respected as one of the best on-field leaders across the Australian sporting landscape after 355 games at AFL level.
Welcome Joel!! 🤝
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) November 18, 2022
Selwood said he was excited to join an organization with the reputation of the Storm.
“I’m really excited to be joining Storm. I’ve been watching them and been in envy of what the club has been able to achieve for a long time,” Selwood said.
“When the opportunity come up, I saw it as a great chance to get involved in something a bit different in an environment that is so well run.”
The Storm’s captain or co-captains for 2023 are yet to be appointed, and football manager Frank Ponissi said feedback from those around Selwood drove the appointment.
“Joel is an impressive person and has shown he has outstanding leadership qualities as Captain of the Cats over a long period of time,” Ponissi said.
“We were particularly impressed with his humility and eagerness to learn, which was no surprise given what we knew about him and from the feedback we got from those we spoke to through the process, including Simon Lloyd (Geelong football manager) at the Cats.”