A New Chapter for AFL Star Scott Selwood and Sarah Rowe
Scott Selwood, a revered figure in Australian Football League (AFL), and Sarah Rowe, a multi-sport athlete, have taken their relationship public in an unforgettable way. The couple recently shared a photo of themselves hugging on a beach on Rottnest Island with the caption, “Siblings or dating?” This post quickly captured the attention of fans and fellow athletes alike.
The image sparked a wave of reactions from followers, with many expressing surprise and excitement. Ruby Schleicher, a Collingwood AFLW teammate of Rowe, commented, “Possibly the hardest launch of all time.” Ryan Warren from Triple M Radio added, “NASA doesn’t even launch this hard!” while another AFLW star remarked, “What a launch!” accompanied by a rocket-ship emoji.
Abbey Holmes, a former AFL great turned Channel Seven presenter, and Mitch Brown, a premiership-winning former Eagles star, also extended their congratulations to the couple. Their union has brought a sense of hope and positivity during what has been a deeply challenging year for Selwood and his footballing family.
In September, Selwood made the difficult decision to step away from his role as an assistant coach with Collingwood’s men’s side. This followed the tragic loss of his twin brothers, Troy and Adam, who both passed away within months of each other. Each brother took their own life, leaving a profound impact on the entire family.
Collingwood came together to support Selwood through this heartbreaking period. Adam was a successful premiership player with West Coast, playing 187 games for the Eagles. Troy, on the other hand, played 75 games across six seasons for Brisbane.
Selwood expressed his feelings in a statement, saying, “Twelve years in the system as a player and six as a coach has been some of the best years of my life.” He added, “It has been a personally challenging year for me so the timing feels right to take some time for myself away from football.”
Before his engagement to PR executive Morgan Hill, Selwood had already faced significant personal challenges. The couple announced their engagement in October 2021 after Selwood proposed at a picturesque winery in Victoria.
In a heartfelt gesture, Selwood honored his brother Adam by running a marathon for charity in June. Originally planned to run the Big Five Marathon in South Africa, he had to cancel due to Adam’s passing. Instead, he ran 42.2km alone around Melbourne’s Albert Park, raising funds for Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.
Joel Selwood, a Geelong legend, shared a touching message on social media, stating, “You would have been forgiven if you weren’t up for it today brother. But instead you did it the hardest way possible — underprepared, freezing cold and ran alone against the clock.”
Rowe, known for her versatility in sports, represented the Republic of Ireland in soccer and played for Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners in Australia’s top-tier football league. She won the A-League Women’s title with the Mariners in April, just days before starting preseason training with the Magpies.
In addition to her 64 games for Collingwood since 2019, Rowe also excelled in Gaelic football, starring for Mayo in the All-Ireland Ladies’ Football Championship final in 2017. She has also contributed to AFLW commentary work for Channel Seven and co-hosts the popular Tagged footy podcast with Sarah Hosking.
The recent developments in Selwood’s life have not only brought joy but also highlighted the resilience and strength of those close to him. As he navigates this new chapter, the support from friends, teammates, and fans continues to be a source of comfort and encouragement.
