Latest news with #Geelong
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken AFL WAG Brit Selwood announces ANOTHER family tragedy just weeks after her husband Joel lost brother Adam - and months following the death of his twin Troy
Brit Selwood has shared another heartbreaking tragedy has befallen her family. The AFL WAG announced the death of her grandmother in an Instagram Stories post on Monday. Alongside a black and white photo of her nan, the heartbroken Brit wrote: 'Rest peacefully grandma. You were a great grandma'. It's the latest loss that has befallen the Selwood family in the past few weeks and months. In May, Brit shared a heartbreaking tribute to her brother-in-law Adam following his recent death in Perth aged 41. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The AFL community was left devastated when the former Eagles premiership player died on May 17, just months after the tragic death of his identical twin brother Troy. His brother Joel's wife Brit shared a black and white family photo of the footy star alongside the caption: 'Rest easy Adam.' Brit included a broken red love heart, white love heart, and dove emoji in the message. The picture saw Brit and her husband Joel posing with his brother Adam and the footy player's wife Fiona, with whom he shared children Lenny and Billie. The family appeared to be enjoying a day out watching the footy at an AFL stadium. Police have confirmed Adam's death, which came just three months after his twin Troy passed away, is not being treated as suspicious. Joel, a Geelong premiership captain, took to Instagram following the tragedy to publish a series of pictures of himself and Adam and his other brother Scott. He captioned the post: 'Rest up, love you brother. Look after each other.' Last month, the footy great celebrated his 37th birthday - and his wife marked the occasion with a simple post on social media. Brit posted a black and white photo of the family alongside the caption: 'Happy Birthday @joelselwood14. We love you.' Adam passed away a week before he was supposed to take part in HBF Run for a Reason, raising funds for mental health charity zero2hero in memory of Troy. A group of his closest friends decided to finish what he had started and complete the race. The group running included former players Drew Banfield and Quinten Lynch, as well as current stars Brad Dalziell, Travis Gasper, Sharrod Wellingham and Matt Rosa. The Eagles star had raised more than $21,000 at the time of his death, but that number has risen to more than $76,000 on Sunday. Adam made 187 appearances for the Eagles during his career and played a key role in helping the club win the 2006 AFL Grand Final. He joined the footy club in the 2002 National Draft and would enjoy a 10-year career in footy's top-flight competition. Adam mostly played as a tagger before hanging up his boots in 2013. After his retirement in 2013, Adam would continue to work in football taking up a role as a development coach with the West Coast. He'd later become the inaugural head of the Eagles women's footy side and was pivotal in bringing key AFLW players to the club. For confidential 24-hour support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Text Service : 0477 13 11 14 Beyond Blue : 1300 224 636 13 Yarn (an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line): 13 92 76
CNN
6 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
Erin Patterson, woman accused of killing in-laws with toxic mushrooms, takes stand for first time
Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of killing three people and attempting to kill a fourth with a meal laced with death cap mushrooms, has taken the stand in her own defense at a trial that has captured worldwide attention. On Monday, the start of the sixth week of the trial, Patterson told the court about her relationship with her estranged husband Simon, whose parents, Don and Gail Patterson, were among the guests who died after attending lunch at her house in July 2023. Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, also died after eating Beef Wellington at lunch, but her husband, Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at their local church, survived after spending several weeks in hospital with acute poisoning from Amanita phalloides, the world's most toxic mushrooms. Prosecutors allege that Patterson, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, deliberately laced the beef dish with lethal mushrooms, after seeing their location posted on a public website. Her defense lawyers argue the deaths were a 'terrible accident,' and while they acknowledge Patterson, 50, repeatedly lied to police, they say she didn't intend to kill her guests. The mother of two told the court that her relationship with her husband was merely 'functional' in July 2023, and that she had started becoming concerned that he wasn't involving her in family gatherings anymore. Her self-esteem was low, and she was so unhappy with her weight that she was considering gastric bypass surgery, she told the court. 'I'd been fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life, and the further inroads I made into being middle aged, the less I felt good about myself,' she said. Patterson's defense attorney Colin Mandy SC asked her about the start of her relationship with Simon Patterson, the father of their two children. Patterson told the court she met Simon in 2004 at work at Monash City Council, in the Australian state of Victoria. They were friends at first, before a romance developed several months later. They married in 2007, at a service attended by Don and Gail Patterson and Ian and Heather Wilkinson. Erin's parents were on holiday when she got married, so Ian Wilkinson's son David walked her down the aisle, she told the court. Patterson said she was 'very atheist' when she met Simon. 'I was trying to convert him to being an atheist, but things happened in reverse, and I became Christian,' she told the court. She said she had a 'spiritual experience' during her first church service in 2005 at Korumburra Baptist Church, where Pastor Ian Wilkinson delivered the sermon. 'I had what I would call a religious experience there, and it quite overwhelmed me,' she said Patterson recalled the traumatic delivery of her first child, who was born by emergency cesarian, after an attempt with forceps failed. Her son spent some time in the intensive care unit, and Patterson said she discharged herself against medical advice so she could go home to be with her newborn. Patterson spoke about the support Simon's mother Gail gave her as she cared for her son. 'She gave me good advice … relax and enjoy your baby,' she said. When they were living in Perth, Western Australia, the couple briefly separated for the first time. In 2009, Patterson rented a cottage for herself and their baby, she told the court, while her husband rented a trailer close by. They reunited in January 2010. A second baby came later. During the course of their relationship, Patterson told the court there were periods of separation. 'What we struggled with over the entire course or our relationship… we just couldn't communicate well when we disagreed about something,' she said. 'We could never communicate in a way that made each of us feel heard or understood, so we would just feel hurt and not know how to resolve it.' Patterson will resume giving evidence on Tuesday.
CNN
7 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
Woman accused of killing in-laws with toxic mushrooms takes stand for first time
Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of killing three people and attempting to kill a fourth with a meal laced with death cap mushrooms, has taken the stand in her own defense at a trial that has captured worldwide attention. On Monday, the start of the sixth week of the trial, Patterson told the court about her relationship with her estranged husband Simon, whose parents, Don and Gail Patterson, were among the guests who died after attending lunch at her house in July 2023. Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, also died after eating Beef Wellington at lunch, but her husband, Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at their local church, survived after spending several weeks in hospital with acute poisoning from Amanita phalloides, the world's most toxic mushrooms. Prosecutors allege that Patterson, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, deliberately laced the beef dish with lethal mushrooms, after seeing their location posted on a public website. Her defense lawyers argue the deaths were a 'terrible accident,' and while they acknowledge Patterson, 50, repeatedly lied to police, they say she didn't intend to kill her guests. The mother of two told the court that her relationship with her husband was merely 'functional' in July 2023, and that she had started becoming concerned that he wasn't involving her in family gatherings anymore. Her self-esteem was low, and she was so unhappy with her weight that she was considering gastric bypass surgery, she told the court. 'I'd been fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life, and the further inroads I made into being middle aged, the less I felt good about myself,' she said. Patterson's defense attorney Colin Mandy SC asked her about the start of her relationship with Simon Patterson, the father of their two children. Patterson told the court she met Simon in 2004 at work at Monash City Council, in the Australian state of Victoria. They were friends at first, before a romance developed several months later. They married in 2007, at a service attended by Don and Gail Patterson and Ian and Heather Wilkinson. Erin's parents were on holiday when she got married, so Ian Wilkinson's son David walked her down the aisle, she told the court. Patterson said she was 'very atheist' when she met Simon. 'I was trying to convert him to being an atheist, but things happened in reverse, and I became Christian,' she told the court. She said she had a 'spiritual experience' during her first church service in 2005 at Korumburra Baptist Church, where Pastor Ian Wilkinson delivered the sermon. 'I had what I would call a religious experience there, and it quite overwhelmed me,' she said Patterson recalled the traumatic delivery of her first child, who was born by emergency cesarian, after an attempt with forceps failed. Her son spent some time in the intensive care unit, and Patterson said she discharged herself against medical advice so she could go home to be with her newborn. Patterson spoke about the support Simon's mother Gail gave her as she cared for her son. 'She gave me good advice … relax and enjoy your baby,' she said. When they were living in Perth, Western Australia, the couple briefly separated for the first time. In 2009, Patterson rented a cottage for herself and their baby, she told the court, while her husband rented a trailer close by. They reunited in January 2010. A second baby came later. During the course of their relationship, Patterson told the court there were periods of separation. 'What we struggled with over the entire course or our relationship… we just couldn't communicate well when we disagreed about something,' she said. 'We could never communicate in a way that made each of us feel heard or understood, so we would just feel hurt and not know how to resolve it.' Patterson will resume giving evidence on Tuesday.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Famous AFL fan reveals why he RELUCTANTLY got rid of his 'good luck' swastika tattoo
One of the AFL 's most hardcore and flamboyant fans has revealed why he's reluctantly covered up his swastika tattoo, insisting that only ignorant trolls think it's a Nazi symbol. Troy 'Catman' West has been one of the Geelong Cats ' most recognisable fans for many years with his exuberant costumes and make-up. The Cats diehard took to social media over the weekend to announce that he was covering up his swastika tattoo with a 'black sun'. 'To the fwits saying I have/ had a Nazi tattoo design,' his post began. 'Pardon your ignorance but the swastika is a 3000-year-old ancient symbol and I was with the Hari Krishnas (sic) back in the 90s and my tattoo is Hindu and it means good fortune, good luck and good health. 'Only dumb ignorant trolls think it's a Nazi symbol.' West says his tattoo is Hindu and it means 'good fortune, good luck and good health' West said he had the ink covered up because former Victorian premier Dan Andrews banned the symbol. 'Neo Nazi swastikas I agree with (banning)' wrote West. 'But not the religious Hindu swastika. They need to separate that! 'Doesn't matter now. It's gone and I have replaced it with a black sun.' West made headlines in 2021 after revealing the heavy abuse he copped for being 'openly gay, confident and loud'. Reduced to breaking point, West shocked fans by severing all ties with the Geelong cheer squad and football club. The son of late 1963 Cats premiership player Roy West opened up on the 'hellish time' he has endured in a lengthy and emotional statement on Facebook. 'I don't want to be around negative influences and I feel I need to take control of the Catman persona that I've worked hard to create,' his 1100-word post began. 'I'm an openly gay, confident, loud, abrasive, energetic, creative, colourful and popular person and that sometimes isn't what some sections of the community like. 'I've grown up surrounded by homophobia, prejudice and being targeted. I'm at a stage in my life where I don't think I should be around elements of that nature. In ANY area of my life.' West told Nine News: 'I don't think I deserve it just for being a crazy cat.' 'And I don't deserve the hatred I get from people who don't even know me or have never interacted with me.' Though West acknowledged his high profile gave him many incredible opportunities, he also copped constant hate on online footy forums. 'It's not fun when a video of me goes viral and I read through 20,000 comments of absolute hate, abuse, homophobia, discrimination, and the worst things imaginable you can say to people,' he added. 'I just don't get why people can hate me so much when they don't know me. 'I struggle to adapt to the new cancel culture that's insidiously infiltrated society. There are just too many people out to get me. 'I no longer wish to be under such scrutiny.' West said it was a difficult and heartbreaking decision to step away from the spotlight. He vowed to continue attending Cats games as a general supporter but hinted at a possible fallout by claiming he'd never been supported or protected. 'For my own sanity, I need to move on,' West wrote. 'I have lost my passion for the game, for Catman and I struggle to even get to games at the moment. I feel like burning my Catcave to the ground. 'I love this club so much but unfortunately they don't love me back in return.' West revealed he was self-medicating to sleep and retaliating to some of the online backlash he's copped. 'I don't like the person this anger has turned me into,' he continued. 'I'm a very warm and funny person in real life and these problems have made me into a bitter raging bull. 'I've hurt friends and family with my anger and fallen out with many people. It has to stop. I want the lovely Troy back in my life. And yours. West urged friends and fans to give him the time and space he needs to come to terms with the fallout. 'I'm strong and resilient. I am Catman, hear me roar!' the powerful post ended. West's father Roy West was one of the Cats biggest stars in the Victorian Football League in the early to mid 1960s. The 108-game fullback won the 1961 Carji Greeves Medal for Geelong's best and fairest player and won a premiership with the club in 1963. West Sr also represented Victoria on two occasions and sadly lost a year long battle with lung cancer in 2011 aged 70 just weeks after Geelong won the premiership.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Kako urged to lift defensive pressure amid goalless spell
Promising Essendon small forward Isaac Kako should focus on the defensive side of his game to unlock his potential, teammate Peter Wright says. Kako was one of the most exciting players in last year's draft - a member of the Bombers' Next Generation Academy who booted four goals in a pre-season match against Geelong in February. But the No.13 draft pick has been held goalless for his past three matches, and is averaging 10.2 disposals per match. Wright said the team wanted to get the ball into Kako's hands as much as possible because of his ability to make something of his possessions, but the small forward should be focusing on chasing pressure and tackles. 'For him, it's just bringing that real defensive mindset. I think that's how small forwards really get into the game,' Wright told reporters outside the MCG on Monday ahead of Essendon's Sunday night clash with Carlton. 'Clearly, Isaac's someone with just a tremendous amount of talent. We love playing with him,' Wright said. 'If he can just bring that consistent pressure, I think the rest of his game will flow from that and he'll play a really important team role.' Loading The tall forward said the upcoming game was a big opportunity in a tight competition, and he relished the King's Birthday eve timeslot against one of Essendon's greatest rivals. 'Any time you get two big Melbourne clubs playing against each other, you feel that extra bit of pressure and expectation from your supporter base,' he said. 'I think on Sunday night it's going to be a massive crowd, and that adds to the atmosphere. Where we both are on the ladder, it obviously means a lot to both teams.'
