Scott Selwood to step away from AFL coaching in 2026 after brothers' deaths

Collingwood assistant coach Scott Selwood will step away from the AFL in 2026 after a year that tested him deeply, with the deaths of two of his brothers this year. Twins Adam and Troy Selwood died within months of each other, with both families confirming they died by suicide. The Magpies said Selwood would take a break next season to travel and explore opportunities away from football, ending a 12-year run in the AFL system as a player and a further six as a coach.

Selwood, 35, played 169 AFL games for Geelong and West Coast before retiring in 2019. He joined Collingwood as an assistant coach and has spent six seasons with the club, helping guide the Magpies to a premiership before this year. He said the plan for 2026 is to step away temporarily to focus on personal matters while leaving the door open for a future return to the game.

The Selwood brothers' deaths and the impact on the AFL community were felt across clubs. Adam Selwood played 187 AFL games for West Coast and was a premiership player, while Troy Selwood appeared in 75 games for Brisbane over six seasons. Their passings, announced earlier this year, left the football world stunned and underscored concerns about mental health and suicide prevention within sport.

In his statement, Selwood thanked Collingwood coach Craig McRae for believing in him and providing an opportunity to coach. He said the time away would allow him to spend time with family and reassess priorities while continuing to value the relationships and memories formed at Collingwood and within the football community.

Selwood has carried the memory of his brothers into his off-field work. In June, he completed a solo marathon around Melbourne's Albert Park in support of Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, after previously planning to run the Big Five Marathon in South Africa to honour Adam and Troy. The event raised funds for the brain-cancer charity, and a group of Adam's friends, including West Coast teammates, finished the race after his death. Joel Selwood, the Geelong legend and Adam's brother, publicly praised Scott's determination in supporting the family and the sport.

Before his death, Adam Selwood intended to run a half-marathon to honour Troy and to raise about $10,000 for WA charity zero2hero, which supports mental health leadership and suicide-prevention initiatives. After his passing, a group of Adam's friends continued the effort and completed the fundraiser in his memory.

The year has posed a personal and professional challenge for the Selwoods and for AFL clubs grappling with mental-health issues. In announcing the 2026 break, Selwood said the responses from Collingwood teammates, staff and the broader football community have reinforced the importance of looking after one another in high-performance sport.

Selwood's departure marks a period of transition in a career that included playing 169 AFL games and more than six seasons coaching, during which time he helped guide Collingwood to success. The club said the door remains open for future involvement should circumstances allow.