Collingwood Magpies coach Craig McRae was visibly emotional during his post-match press conference following the team’s game against Adelaide, as he revealed that he chose not to inform his players about the death of Adam Selwood until after the match concluded. The news of Selwood’s passing emerged around midday (AEST), hours before the match kicked off at 1:20pm. Adam Selwood’s brother, Scott, is part of the Collingwood coaching staff but was absent from the game.
This tragic loss follows the recent death of Adam’s identical twin brother, Troy, who tragically took his own life in February. As McRae fielded questions post-match, he requested to address his emotional state after dealing with football-related inquiries, indicating the weight of the situation.
When asked about the decision to keep the news from his players, McRae explained, “We did (shielded the players). There’s no book written on this stuff… It’s horrible.” He detailed how the coaches were aware of the situation and needed to coordinate Scott Selwood’s return to Perth but felt it might be more appropriate to give the team space before revealing such devastating news. McRae expressed, “There’s such sadness,” reflecting on the decision to protect his players from the immediate shock.
Tears filled McRae’s eyes as he conveyed a message of support to the Selwood family, stating, “I just want to send my love to the Selwood family.” He then concluded his press conference visibly affected, thanking the media before leaving.
In a poignant moment on the field following the match, former Geelong player Cameron Mooney, a close acquaintance of the Selwood family, interviewed McRae and inquired about the significance of family and teamwork at Collingwood. Overcome with emotion, McRae affirmed, “It’s important to us, everyone plays their part,” while Mooney provided reassurance with a heartfelt response.
Earlier, during the halftime break, Mooney had delivered a heartfelt tribute to the Selwood family, expressing his sorrow over the recent tragedy. He highlighted the bond he shared with the family over the years, stating, “It’s absolutely tragic… I want to send all my condolences to a family that I absolutely love and adore.”
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