Latest news with #XavierEllis
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy great opens up on his heartbreaking phone call with close friend Joel Selwood following the tragic death of his brother Adam
Footy great Xavier Ellis has opened up on the heartbreaking phone call that he had with Geelong great Joel Selwood over the weekend, following the tragic death of his brother Adam, aged 41. The footballing community was rocked by the news of Adam's passing on Saturday, three months after his identical twin brother Troy sadly also died. The Selwoods are one of the most celebrated and revered families in the sport, with Adam being one of four brothers, alongside Troy, Joel and Scott, to enjoy distinguished careers in footy's top flight. Ellis, a close friend of the Selwood family, is one of many to have paid tribute to Adam. On Wednesday morning, the former Hawthorn and West Coast star, 31, appeared on Perth 's Triple M's Breakfast Show with Katie Lamb, where he delivered an emotional speech, in which he paid his condolences to the Selwood family. 'Calling Joel over the weekend, just hearing his voice break. You know that "bulletproof" Joel Selwood, he's not,' Ellis said to Perth's Triple M Breakfast. 'Mental health doesn't discriminate. Targeting men and young men. It's a time now where [mental health charity] R U OK DAY, I think it's deeper than that.' Ellis subsequently urged others to not only check on their mates but to keep pestering friends and make deeper inquiries into the wellbeing of those who might be struggling. 'It's so easy to deflect a question: "Are you OK?" It's time to grab a scalpel and really dissect the person you're asking. 'You'd rather be a persistent pain in the arse than a shallow arse who's just moved on and you've ticked the box. 'So if you have got someone you're concerned about, it is hard, but you've got to grab that life jacket and jump in the water with them because they're drowning inside. 'I guarantee there's someone in your friendship group who is in a way of struggle. 'This is targeting men but there are also ladies in this. 'But, as I've said, it's time to get the scalpel and really dive into this, take the deep dive with your friends, because I've just sat there yesterday and saw the Selwoods. 'And the devastation between those brothers who I call my closest friends, Bryce and Maree... It's tragic... It's a thing no one should have to live through.' Tributes have since been pouring in for the West Coast great, with his club and several Eagles players paying a touching tribute to the former footy star ahead of their 28-point win against St Kilda this weekend. The Eagles and St Kilda paused for a minute's silence ahead of the match, while players donned black armbands in memory of the former tagger. Adam made 187 appearances for the West Coast during his distinguished career and notably played a role in the side's 2006 premiership victory. Ellis also opened up on growing up around the Selwood family. 'Waking up on Saturday to some missed calls and learning about the mental health tragedy of a friend of mine, Adam Selwood,' Ellis said. 'Over my time in the media, the Selwood boys have been in here many times. 'I've done this media stuff for about a decade now and I've made it really clear the love and admiration I have for that family. 'I idolise them and have since I was the age of 12, Joel was my first ever captain as a 14-year-old. 'He was a close friend, someone I admire so deeply. Moving to Perth, I knew no one other than Joel's brother who was on the West Coast list, Scooter (Scott), who was living with Adam at the time.' Ellis also revealed he had gone for a beer with Scott on Sunday night. 'They really helped me when I first arrived and Scooter, having a beer with him on Sunday night and seeing him and how empty that poor man is. '(Parents) Bryce and Maree are family friends, we went to Ireland as kids, they're beautiful people. 'You think of those Selwood boys, when they play footy, they put a cape on those boys. They're tough, they're brave. 'Well, Bryce and Maree are that as parents every day and night. They're just wonderful people.' Heartbreakingly, Adam was due to participate in the HBF Run For a Reason half Marathon on May 25 in support of zero2hero, a mental health charity. Over $4,000 has since been donated to his zero2hero campaign since Saturday. 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 Suicide Call Back Service : 1300 659 467
Daily Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
AFL flag winner Xavier Ellis' devastating chat with Geelong great Joel Selwood after brother Adam's death
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former Hawthorn and West Coast midfielder Xavier Ellis has given an insight into the devastation gripping himself and the Selwood family after Adam's death on Saturday. Just three months after his twin brother Troy took his own life, Adam Selwood died on Saturday at the age of 41, leading to a heartbreaking response across the footy world. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Ellis, 37, the third pick in the 2005 AFL Draft, won a flag with the Hawks in 2008 before spending the final three seasons of his career in Perth with the Eagles. He played 120 AFL games, including losing grand finals in 2012 and 2015, before retiring in 2016. A regular in the Perth media scene after his playing career, Ellis grew up with the Selwood family. Adam and Scott Selwood were the only people he knew when he joined the Eagles from Hawthorn ahead of the 2014 AFL season. Xavier Ellis (left) competing in the 2015 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Having taken a few days off after the news of Adam's death, Ellis returned to his role on Triple M Breakfast with Xav and Katie on Wednesday to give his thoughts on the awful situation that has again devastated the Selwood family. Ellis has spoken to Geelong great Joel Selwood since the tragedy and caught up with Scott Selwood on Sunday. 'Waking up on Saturday to some missed calls and learning about the mental health tragedy of a friend of mine, Adam Selwood,' Ellis began. 'Over my time in the media, the Selwood boys have been in here many times. 'I've done this media stuff for about a decade now and I've made it really clear the love and admiration I have for that family. 'I idolise them and have since I was the age of 12, Joel was my first ever captain as a 14-year-old. The Selwood brothers, (left to right) Scott, Joel, Adam and Troy. 'He was a close friend, someone I admire so deeply. Moving to Perth, I knew no one other than Joel's brother who was on the West Coast list, Scooter (Scott), who was living with Adam at the time. 'They really helped me when I first arrived and Scooter, having a beer with him on Sunday night and seeing him and how empty that poor man is. '(Parents) Bryce and Maree are family friends, we went to Ireland as kids, they're beautiful people. 'You think of those Selwood boys, when they play footy they put a cape on those boys. They're tough, they're brave. 'Well Bryce and Maree are that as parents every day and night. They're just wonderful people.' Ellis also opened up on a conversation he had with Joel Selwood, the 355-game, four-time premiership winner during his 15 years with the Cats. Joel Selwood was one of the toughest players in the game. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Renowned as one of the toughest players in the AFL during his glittering career, Joel was understandably emotional during the chat, according to Ellis. The radio host was also desperate to use his platform to send a message about mental health in Australia. 'Calling Joel over the weekend, just hearing his voice break. You know that 'bulletproof' Joel Selwood, he's not, and mental health doesn't discriminate,' he said. 'Targeting men and young men, it's a time now where (mental health charity) 'R U OK DAY', I think it's deeper than that. 'It's so easy to deflect a question 'are you OK?' It's time to grab a scalpel and really dissect the person you're asking. You'd rather be a persistent pain in the arse than a shallow arse who's just moved on and you've ticked the box. 'So if you have got someone you're concerned about, you've got to grab that life jacket and jump in the water with them because they're drowning inside. 'I guarantee there's someone in your friendship group that is in a way of struggle.' There have been a number of tributes to Adam since his death, including a minute's silence prior to West Coast's clash with St Kilda on Sunday. In a heartbreaking set of circumstances, Adam planned to take part in this week's HBF Run for a Reason — in support of the zero2hero charity — and called it one of the things that 'kept him going' after his brother's death. The Run for a Reason half marathon will take place on Sunday, May 25, and Selwood will be in the hearts of many that run the course in Perth. In a touching twist, more than $4000 was donated to Selwood's zero2hero campaign on Saturday night — taking his total money raised to more than $25,000. The latest tragedy left AFL great and Sydney Swans Hall of Famer Tadhg Kennelly fearing more incident like this are inevitable as the game battles a mental health crisis. Kennelly said Adam Selwood's shock passing, just months after his twin brother Troy took his own life, is 'an absolute tragedy'. 'The Selwood family have been one of the cornerstones of the game of AFL and have given everything to it,' Kennelly told 'Joel, Scott, Adam and Troy are the embodiment of grit, humility and heart. They were raised on the values of loyalty, strength and brotherhood. It's heartbreaking for the family, it's heartbreaking for AFL and it's heartbreaking for the country.' Scott (left) and Joel during Troy Selwood's funeral in February. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) During Wednesday morning's show on Triple M, Ellis detailed a conversation with a listener who was dealing with mental health issues and how he was trying to help him, even giving the man his mobile phone number. Ellis was fighting back tears as he made an impassioned plea to check on those around you. 'Take the deep dive with your friends because I just sat there yesterday and saw the Selwoods and the devastation between those brothers, who I call my closest friends, and Bryce and Maree,' he said. 'It's just a tragic thing that no one should have to live through and I haven't got much more to add, just try to find the mate that's really struggling and try to help them and reassure them there are ways. 'You won't have the answers, but you can certainly ask the right questions.' Originally published as Xavier Ellis' devastating Joel Selwood chat after brother Adam's death
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Xavier Ellis' devastating Joel Selwood chat after brother Adam's death
Former Hawthorn and West Coast midfielder Xavier Ellis has given an insight into the devastation gripping himself and the Selwood family after Adam's death on Saturday. Just three months after his twin brother Troy took his own life, Adam Selwood died on Saturday at the age of 41, leading to a heartbreaking response across the footy world. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Ellis, 37, the third pick in the 2005 AFL Draft, won a flag with the Hawks in 2008 before spending the final three seasons of his career in Perth with the Eagles. He played 120 AFL games, including losing grand finals in 2012 and 2015, before retiring in 2016. A regular in the Perth media scene after his playing career, Ellis grew up with the Selwood family. Adam and Scott Selwood were the only people he knew when he joined the Eagles from Hawthorn ahead of the 2014 AFL season. Having taken a few days off after the news of Adam's death, Ellis returned to his role on Triple M Breakfast with Xav and Katie on Wednesday to give his thoughts on the awful situation that has again devastated the Selwood family. Ellis has spoken to Geelong great Joel Selwood since the tragedy and caught up with Scott Selwood on Sunday. 'Waking up on Saturday to some missed calls and learning about the mental health tragedy of a friend of mine, Adam Selwood,' Ellis began. 'Over my time in the media, the Selwood boys have been in here many times. 'I've done this media stuff for about a decade now and I've made it really clear the love and admiration I have for that family. 'I idolise them and have since I was the age of 12, Joel was my first ever captain as a 14-year-old. 'He was a close friend, someone I admire so deeply. Moving to Perth, I knew no one other than Joel's brother who was on the West Coast list, Scooter (Scott), who was living with Adam at the time. 'They really helped me when I first arrived and Scooter, having a beer with him on Sunday night and seeing him and how empty that poor man is. '(Parents) Bryce and Maree are family friends, we went to Ireland as kids, they're beautiful people. 'You think of those Selwood boys, when they play footy they put a cape on those boys. They're tough, they're brave. 'Well Bryce and Maree are that as parents every day and night. They're just wonderful people.' Ellis also opened up on a conversation he had with Joel Selwood, the 355-game, four-time premiership winner during his 15 years with the Cats. Renowned as one of the toughest players in the AFL during his glittering career, Joel was understandably emotional during the chat, according to Ellis. The radio host was also desperate to use his platform to send a message about mental health in Australia. 'Calling Joel over the weekend, just hearing his voice break. You know that 'bulletproof' Joel Selwood, he's not, and mental health doesn't discriminate,' he said. 'Targeting men and young men, it's a time now where (mental health charity) 'R U OK DAY', I think it's deeper than that. 'It's so easy to deflect a question 'are you OK?' It's time to grab a scalpel and really dissect the person you're asking. You'd rather be a persistent pain in the arse than a shallow arse who's just moved on and you've ticked the box. 'So if you have got someone you're concerned about, you've got to grab that life jacket and jump in the water with them because they're drowning inside. 'I guarantee there's someone in your friendship group that is in a way of struggle.' There have been a number of tributes to Adam since his death, including a minute's silence prior to West Coast's clash with St Kilda on Sunday. In a heartbreaking set of circumstances, Adam planned to take part in this week's HBF Run for a Reason — in support of the zero2hero charity — and called it one of the things that 'kept him going' after his brother's death. The Run for a Reason half marathon will take place on Sunday, May 25, and Selwood will be in the hearts of many that run the course in Perth. In a touching twist, more than $4000 was donated to Selwood's zero2hero campaign on Saturday night — taking his total money raised to more than $25,000. The latest tragedy left AFL great and Sydney Swans Hall of Famer Tadhg Kennelly fearing more incident like this are inevitable as the game battles a mental health crisis. Kennelly said Adam Selwood's shock passing, just months after his twin brother Troy took his own life, is 'an absolute tragedy'. 'The Selwood family have been one of the cornerstones of the game of AFL and have given everything to it,' Kennelly told 'Joel, Scott, Adam and Troy are the embodiment of grit, humility and heart. They were raised on the values of loyalty, strength and brotherhood. It's heartbreaking for the family, it's heartbreaking for AFL and it's heartbreaking for the country.' During Wednesday morning's show on Triple M, Ellis detailed a conversation with a listener who was dealing with mental health issues and how he was trying to help him, even giving the man his mobile phone number. Ellis was fighting back tears as he made an impassioned plea to check on those around you. 'Take the deep dive with your friends because I just sat there yesterday and saw the Selwoods and the devastation between those brothers, who I call my closest friends, and Bryce and Maree,' he said. 'It's just a tragic thing that no one should have to live through and I haven't got much more to add, just try to find the mate that's really struggling and try to help them and reassure them there are ways. 'You won't have the answers, but you can certainly ask the right questions.'
West Australian
28-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Xavier Ellis: West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter doing right thing with Oscar Allen
Former Hawthorn premiership player, Eagle and Hard Ball Gets AFL Show host Xavier Ellis runs his eye over West Coast and Fremantle's performances in round seven. What I liked It was great to see Andrew McQualter play Oscar Allen as a defender. For now, the captain is clearly a better option as a forward, particularly in comparison to Archer Reid and Jack Williams. However, if the Eagles genuinely believe he will leave at season's end, he cannot take the position of a developing forward. The compensation for an Allen trade currently sits at pick two, which might be the Eagles' only win for the year. What I didn't like Despite the scoreline being close at quarter time, this was another game that was done and dusted very early. Hawthorn's 10 scoring shots to three told the story. To highlight how poor the Eagles have been this season so far, in VFL-AFL history they have won the fewest quarters through seven games (two) tied with the 1897 Saints and the 1950 Hawks. What I would like to see West Coast winning a quarter or two. Melbourne are a bottom 4 side, and at home this shouldn't be beyond reach. What I liked Andrew Brayshaw. The bookies have Brayshaw as the fourth favourite to take home this season's Brownlow Medal, which his form absolutely warrants. Brayshaw has had the most rounded start to the season of any midfielder in the competition, with the catalyst for his impressive form being the balance between his offensive prowess and his relentless defensive work — a unique blend in today's game. What I didn't like The Dockers have shown they can kick goals quickly this season — but only in patches. A seven-goal second quarter onslaught against the Dogs and a six-goal opening term last weekend was great, but to only score six goals in the final three quarters on Friday shows that the Dockers still have scoring issues that need attention. What I would like to see How the magnets fall on the whiteboard this weekend will be intriguing. Luke Jackson is likely to return, so I hope the team is selected on output rather than Oscar McDonald being omitted.
