Channel Nine has come under fire over a glaring error in its televised tribute to Adam Selwood just hours after the AFL world was left reeling from the former premiership player’s sudden death.
The network aired a graphic titled ‘Tribute for Troy’ while honouring Adam Selwood, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 41.
The mistake – confusing Adam with his late twin brother Troy, who took his own life three months earlier – sparked immediate backlash online.
‘Good one Channel Nine. That person had one job. Get the name right. Disgraceful,’ one viewer posted.
Another wrote: ‘No proof reading. Very disrespectful.’
The tribute, broadcast by 9News Melbourne, featured Adam’s image and ran during rolling coverage of the former Eagle’s death, but the caption incorrectly honoured Troy instead.
West Coast Eagles premiership-winning star Adam Selwood tragically died on Saturday, just months after his twin brother Troy’s suicide
Adam was honoured by his former club before the Eagles’ emotional win over St Kilda on Sunday afternoon
Channel Nine aired this heading, using Adam Selwood’s deceased brother Troy’s name instead
Footy fans described the blunder as ‘incompetent’ and ‘an insult to the family’, with some calling for disciplinary action.
‘That’s such incompetence. What an insult to the family. Sack whoever is involved,’ one angry footy fan posted.
It wasn’t the only public mistake to overshadow the weekend’s tributes.
Hours earlier, Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin misnamed Adam during her Welcome to Country speech before the Western Bulldogs and Essendon match at Marvel Stadium.
While delivering a solemn address, Murphy Wandin said: ‘Today we heard the passing of Troy Selwood, another young man too young. We are very saddened by his loss.’
The speech was intended to honour Adam Selwood but mistakenly referenced Troy, who died in February.
The mix-up was broadcast to a national audience and was quickly clipped and circulated on social media.
‘Terrible by Aunty Joy. Incredibly disrespectful,’ one viewer wrote on X.
The current West Coast Eagles are pictured paying their respects to club champion Adam Selwood before their match on Sunday
The AFL community was still recovering from the shock death of former Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats star Troy Selwood (pictured) when the awful news about Adam broke
‘Who the hell proof-read Aunty Joy’s speech?!’ another asked
Others rushed to defend the respected elder, noting the difficulty of delivering a public address during a sensitive moment.
‘I must have been watching a different version. I thought Aunty Joy did a wonderful job,’ said one post that gained traction on Sunday.
The double blunder – first during the stadium ceremony then by Channel Nine – has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a weekend of solemn remembrance for a highly respected AFL figure.
Adam Selwood played 187 games for West Coast and was part of the club’s famous 2006 premiership side.
His death comes just three months after Troy’s, deepening the heartbreak for the family and intensifying the emotional weight of tributes.
Despite the public errors, the football community has rallied in support of the Selwoods.
Selwood had recently raised more than $25,000 for mental health charity zero2hero and was planning to run a charity race in Troy’s honour next weekend.
West Coast players honoured Adam on Sunday afternoon with a moving tribute before their emotional win over St Kilda at Optus Stadium.
Captain Oscar Allen issued a heartfelt plea: ‘We’ve lost a legend of our club and we just want to send all our love and support to the Selwood family.’
‘Mental health is such a massive thing in society at the moment,’ he added. ‘I just urge anybody out there who is struggling with anything – please reach out.’
For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
