Inspired by big brother
Bendigo midfielder Joel Selwood says his older brother's premiership medallion - obtained while playing for West Coast during last Saturday's thrilling one-poin
Bendigo midfielder Joel Selwood says his older brother's premiership medallion - obtained while playing for West Coast during last Saturday's thrilling one-point win over Sydney in this year's AFL Grand Final - has provided him with further inspiration as he prepares to embark on an AFL career.Selwood, the younger brother of twins Adam (West Coast) and Troy (Brisbane Lions), is set to be the third of the family to play at the highest level - as he is likely high draft pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft.Joel said watching Adam celebrate his win last weekend was a moment he will never forget."He (Adam) has come along way from pick number 53 and he was never thought he was in the draft pool that year - he took the whole year off the year before like myself (this year)." Selwood said at the NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra."But as a family, when we saw him do the lap of honour, he started to get a bit teary and in the rooms, we gave him a hug and had a look at his medal and it was an amazing feeling."The boys (Adam and Troy) are starting to play some good football, which is good - they're going into their fifth AFL football season next year - and they're starting to string the games together and Adam's walked away with a premiership this year, so it's starting to all happen for them."They've worked hard for it, so they're getting what they deserve."But with Joel attending the Draft Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, it has been a big week for the Selwood family, according to the 18-year-old."Mum's in tears all of the time and she's adapted quite well for the boys moving away from that day up to now," Selwood said."Every time they run out, she's just that proud and so is Dad and she gets an amazing feeling."Mum said: 'If any interstate clubs come (to visit before the draft) they're not getting the chocolate biscuits and coffee at home, so she's hoping (I'll remain in) Victoria, but as we know it's all of a lottery, so you just put your name in and hope it gets drawn out hopefully."The 2005 Barassi Medallist - Australia's best player against Ireland in last year's international rules series - has had to battle a knee injury since 2005. He had an operation last September, while he also underwent further surgery in June this year. But he is back on track as he gears up for an AFL career."It's been a massive year just sitting back on the sidelines and it just kills you, especially through the time at national carnival and just seeing Bendigo go down in that many games, so you do learn a lot from the year just sitting back and watching," Selwood said."I've definitely taken a lot of out it and I'll take it into next year, wherever that may be."It's just been ongoing, so I'm all over the worst stage of it. I've got bright lights in front of me."I could've played the last four rounds of the actual TAC Cup season, but we decided to take it off with a couple of lots of surgery, so I decided to relax up and get raring to go for round one next year."