West Coast forward Jake Waterman has spoken candidly about how the Eagles dealt with the devastating death of former premiership player Adam Selwood.
Selwood, who was just 41, passed away on Saturday, only three months after the loss of his identical twin brother Troy.
The Selwoods are a celebrated AFL family, with brothers Joel and Scott also enjoying decorated careers.
Adam played 187 games for West Coast between 2003 and 2013, including their 2006 premiership win.
After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and later led the club’s female football program.
Selwood remained connected to the club until the end, working with the WAFL side until just weeks before his death.
West Coast Eagles 2006 premiership player Adam Selwood took his own life on Saturday
The West Coast Eagles played at home on Sunday, just one day after the tragic death of one of their own
The West Coast Eagles players paid tribute to Selwood in a commemoration ceremony before the match
On Sunday, the Eagles broke a nine-game losing streak, beating St Kilda by 28 points at Optus Stadium.
But the win was clouded by grief, coming less than two days after the news of Selwood’s passing.
Waterman revealed the playing group was rocked when the news broke just 24 hours before the game.
‘The team meeting had to be pushed back,’ Waterman told 6PR.
‘Some blokes were mourning. I was rattled. It just felt like an emptiness.’
He described a deep emotional toll on both current and former players.
‘You run out in front of thousands every week and then one day it all stops,’ he said.
‘And nothing compares. It scares the s*** out of me how many past players we’re losing.’
West Coast forward Jake Waterman has opened up on how they were able to play despite the tragedy
Waterman urged players to seek support, saying, ‘You are loved much more than you know.’
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said the tragedy had hit the club hard.
‘There were a lot of deep connections with Adam,’ he told 7NEWS, revealing Selwood’s work with the club’s AFLW side.
‘He had such a big impact on people here. It’s going to take time.’
The club allowed players to grieve in their own way before the game.
‘We were open, honest and raw,’ McQualter said.
‘We let people feel what they needed to.’
Before Sunday’s match, the club paid tribute with a minute’s silence and highlights of Selwood’s career on the big screen.
Former Fremantle Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich paid tribute to his old cross-town rival
Former West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson worked with Adam Selwood for many years
After the match, McQualter praised his players for their spirit.
‘I just thought the way our players represented the club was something we’re incredibly proud of,’ he said.
Selwood’s final act showed his dedication to mental health awareness.
He had planned to run in Perth’s HBF Run for a Reason next Sunday to honour Troy.
He hoped to raise $10,000 for WA charity zero2hero, which supports mental health leadership and suicide prevention.
After Sunday’s game, the total had surged past $37,000.
Former coach Adam Simpson paid tribute to Selwood, who he worked with for seven years.
‘He was a fantastic clubman, loyal father and husband,’ Simpson told Fox Sports.
‘He’s going to be sorely missed.’
Matthew Pavlich also paid tribute, recalling battles on the field and collaboration off it.
‘He was a fierce competitor and a special person.’
