Joel Selwood’s incredible legacy at Geelong has been enhanced again, with GMHBA Stadium’s redeveloped northern stand will be named in his honour.
The Cats, Victorian Government and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust on Friday confirmed the newest stand at Geelong’s home venue would be known as the ‘Joel Selwood Stand’ to further honour the former star midfielder.
Selwood played a Cats-record 355 games across his 16 seasons at the club, including a league-record 239 as captain. He retired at end of 2022 with one of footy’s great CV’s: Four premierships (two as captain), six All-Australian selections (including three as captain), four AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Awards, three Geelong best and fairest awards and the AFL Rising Star award in his first season (2007).
Watch every match of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season LIVE & ad-break free during play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
The two gates accessing the Joel Selwood stand will be known as the ‘Polly Farmer Gate’ – after the late Geelong legend Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer – and the ‘Audrey Cope Gate’ – after the late women’s football pioneer and Geelong’s inaugural women’s team captain in 1954.
“We congratulate Joel on the honour of having the new grandstand bear his name,” Cats chief executive Steve Hocking said.
“Joel has made a significant contribution to the club and the wider Geelong community since he walked through the doors at Kardinia Park in late 2006 and this is a fitting recognition.
“It is fantastic to see two incredibly important figures in Geelong’s history recognised with Polly Farmer’s and Audrey Hope’s names adorning the gates of our new stand.
“Polly changed the way Australian Rules football was played for the better with his innovative style of play, while Audrey was a true pioneer in the earliest days of organised women’s football in Geelong.”
The Joel Selwood Stand is expected to be open for the Cats’ 2024 AFL premiership season campaign, with Geelong’s first home game at GMHBA Stadium to be against St Kilda on March 16.
The grandstand will increase the venue’s capacity to 40,000, making it the third-largest stadium in Victoria behind the MCG and Marvel Stadium.
“As a club, we are excited to see the Stage 5 redevelopment nearing completion,” Hocking said. “The increased capacity at our home ground has opened the door for many exciting opportunities, including fixtures against big Victorian clubs and more fans being able to watch the Cats at home.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our members to open days in the new year so they can experience and explore the new and many features of the grandstand for the first time.”
Discussion about this post