Sam Lalor has opened up on his touching tribute to Brisbane great Troy Selwood during Thursday night’s Round 1 clash between Richmond and Carlton.
The No 1 draft pick spurred the Tigers on to a sensational comeback victory against the Blues, with the 18-year-old superstar booting two goals in their 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69) win at the MCG.
Selwood tragically passed away in February, aged 40, with Lalor seen wearing a black armband in remembrance of the Brisbane great. He, and other members of the Tigers squad also wore black armbands in memory of Tigers recruiter Chris Toce, who tragically passed away in 2024.
After hanging up his boots in 2010, Selwood would go on to work in player recruitment, utilising his elite and extensive knowledge of the game to help Geelong sign stars Shannon Neale and Brad Close.
He would also go on to work at Geelong Grammar as the school’s head of football, which is where he crossed paths with Lalor, a student at the school.
Prior to his passing, the Brisbane tagger had conducted an interview with The Age, in which he lumped praise on Lalor and was enamoured with both his footy and cricket skills.
Sam Lalor (pictured) has opened up on his touching tribute to footy great Troy Selwood
The Brisbane great tragically passed away last month, age 40, and had previously mentored Lalor during his time as head of football at Geelong Grammar
Lalor wore two black armbands during Thursday’s clash against Carlton in memory of Selwood and Richmond recruiter Chris Toce, who tragically passed away last year
On Thursday night, Lalor revealed that he had reached out to Geelong great Joel Selwood to ask him if he could wear a black armband to honour his brother Troy.
‘I actually called him a couple of days ago and let him know that I would be wearing an armband for his brother Troy,’ Lalor explained to Channel 7 after the game.
‘He was an awesome mentor for me. I wouldn’t be here without him.
‘Joel was pretty happy and emotional. He sent me a good luck message and, yeah, really proud to wear this and I’m happy I could do this.’
While Richmond’s debutants, Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor also impressed on Thursday, Lalor left many starstruck, with his explosive power and pace.
Troy Selwood had previously spoken on the youngster’s talents having mentored the Tigers youngster at school.
But he added that Lalor could have gone down a very different sporting path.
‘The boys used to all come out when Sammy came to the crease, and watch him bat,’ Selwood said to The Age, speaking on Lalor’s cricketing feats while playing for Geelong Grammar.
Lalor revealed he had asked Geelong great Joel Selwood (right) if he could wear a black armband in memory of his brother Troy (left)
Troy Selwood had previously spoken on Lalor’s incredible footy and cricket skills during his time at Geelong Grammar
Reflecting on tonight’s victory, Lalor said: ‘I just loved playing out there, it was electric, what a way to win’
‘Those boarding house windows, he came close to them a number of times.’
Lalor has often been compared to Dustin Martin for his ability to explode into space with the footy. But his mentor, Selwood, compared him to two other players instead.
‘He is super explosive, hence the comparisons to ‘Dusty’ or to Petracca or to these type-players,’ Selwood said.
‘I feel that that’s more the type of player. Look, they’re all pretty similar, but I feel like Petracca and De Goey, when I watch him play, I think of those boys first … he’s a brilliant mark overhead.
‘And he did it all over the ground, especially as a year 11, he was just sensational.
‘He showed some of that this year in the national championships, taking a couple of fantastic marks… he will be super damaging if he does push forward.’
On Thursday, Lalor looked composed and well ahead of his years.
The 18-year-old debutant even brushed off any claims that he had been nervous ahead of the match.
‘I was pretty relaxed all week and even today I felt relaxed. Soon as I went out to the ground and soaked it all in, made the most of it,’ he said.
‘I just loved playing out there, it was electric, what a way to win.’
