Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti open to mental health round in AFL and sport in wake of Adam Selwood’s passing

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Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti open to mental health round in AFL and sport in wake of Adam Selwood’s passing

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti says they are keen to have the discussion with the AFL and other sporting bodies around mental health rounds in the wake of Adam Selwood’s tragic passing.

The passing of the 187-game Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) Eagles premiership hero, just three months after his twin brother Troy’s death, sent shockwaves through the AFL across the weekend.

At an emotional Optus Stadium on Sunday, the Eagles honoured their former player and AFLW coach pre-game, before putting the grief temporarily to the side to claim a 28-point win over St Kilda — their first victory of the season.

Amid renewed calls for a special mental health-themed round in the AFL, Saffioti said they would be supportive of both top-level and local competitions introducing it.

“We’re very keen to have that discussion with the AFL and all the sporting organisations,” she said.

“But can I just pass on, on behalf of the State Government, our condolences and our thoughts with the Selwood family, their friends, the West Coast Eagles team, and all of those around that family.”

“This is devastating news, and in particular for the family, I find the grief they’re going through unimaginable.”

Camera IconAdam Selwood died on Saturday. Credit: Michael Willson/The Slattery Media Group

Saffioti said the whole state was “absolutely” behind the Eagles getting a win on Sunday.

“I spoke to (Eagles chief executive) Don Pyke this morning about how the team’s going and how the organisation is going, and it’s a time for everyone to grieve,” she said.

“It was very recent, and our respect to the family and all the associates and to allow them to actually grieve what was a tragic situation.

The Sport and Recreation Minister said mental health was a societal and community issue which required everyone pulling together to work towards a solution.

“It’s unimaginable what’s occurred, the grief of the Selwood family,” she said.

“In recent years, we’ve seen more and more people talking about mental health in the community, we’re seeing it more and more coming out in the public and being more open about the issues people face.

“We continue all to work together to try and prevent these situations happening. This is a tragedy, and there are tragedies that unfold in our community, and we need to all work together to see how we can prevent it.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14

West Coast will be known as Waalitj Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

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