Former AFL player Isaac Smith recently took on an amazing challenge, running The Big 5 marathon in Melbourne to raise money for indigenous youth. Giving the marathon course a go, Smith accepted the challenge of the grueling 42-kilometer course around Albert Park lake. His impetus was a strong feeling that he had to support Scott Selwood after he experienced an unimaginable personal loss.
Scott Selwood was supposed to be running the marathon with Carrie Bickmore’s team in South Africa. He was forced to withdraw after the unspeakable happened. His brother, former AFL player Adam Selwood, died at age 41 on May 17. Despite this devastating loss, Scott Selwood chose to run the marathon alone in Australia simultaneously with Isaac Smith’s efforts in South Africa.
The Legacy of the Selwood Brothers
The Selwood family has a storied history in Australian football, with four brothers collectively amassing 786 games in the AFL—an unparalleled achievement among siblings in the league. This legacy includes Scott and Adam, and Troy Selwood, who unfortunately lost his life earlier this year. Scott delivered one of the most moving eulogies you are ever likely to hear at Troy’s funeral service, which took place at Geelong’s Kardinia Park in February.
The emotional connection between the brothers and their commitment to one another became a central theme during this marathon event. Isaac Smith, a four-time premiership winner with both Hawthorn and Geelong, was one such individual who displayed a matchless bond of brotherhood. He ran to pay tribute to Scott’s late brother. Bickmore noted the significance of their actions.
“Collapsed against the wall is Scott Selwood, who was due to participate in The Big 5 with us but had to pull out at the last minute due to the most horrific personal circumstances. He still chose to do the marathon in Australia at the same time as we did ours in South Africa. He ran around Albert Park lake and did the 42K alone. What a superhuman effort.” – Carrie Bickmore
A Testament to Mateship
Of course, it is Isaac Smith’s bond with Scott Selwood that is perhaps the best example of mateship under duress. Their individual but together journey proved their beauty and power. Along with that, they demonstrated fierce solidarity with one another, especially during hard times. Bickmore further emphasized this sentiment.
“The definition of mate ship right here.” – Carrie Bickmore
As it turns out, the two marathon-medic athletes weren’t just raising awareness during their respective runs, they were raising funds for brain cancer research. Their passion burns brightly in the football community. Through that, it illustrates how sports have an incredible ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.
