‘Incredibly honoured’: Joel Selwood’s legacy cemented with new grandstand name at Kardinia Park
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27.11.2023

‘Incredibly honoured’: Joel Selwood’s legacy cemented with new grandstand name at Kardinia Park

Words by Staff Writer

The new grandstand at Kardinia Park will be named the Joel Selwood Stand.

Geelong Football Club’s legendary premiership captain and games record holder, Joel Selwood, is set to be immortalised at Kardinia Park with a grandstand bearing his name. Thanks to the Allan Labor Government’s Stage 5 Redevelopment of Kardinia Park, football fans for generations to come will pay homage to the retired champion.

Selwood, appointed captain at the tender age of 23, played an impressive 355 games for the Cats and secured four AFL premierships during his illustrious 15-year career from 2007 to 2022. He retired with several league records including most games as club captain (245) and played a record 40-finals. Off the field, Selwood is a strong member of the Geelong community and a passionate advocate for the region.

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The Joel Selwood Stand is a testament to Selwood’s enduring association with Kardinia Park, a connection that will continue to resonate with fans across the region and Victoria. The stand is part of the comprehensive redevelopment, and its completion is anticipated to further elevate Kardinia Park’s status as Australia’s premier regional stadium.

Joel Selwood himself shared his gratitude, saying, “I lived a childhood dream, playing for the Geelong Football Club for 16 years, in front of a packed Kardinia Park. Arriving to work each day at the stadium provided lifetime memories that will forever remain close to my heart.

“I’m incredibly honoured to have this stand named after me, and hope it brings our community significant joy in the coming years.”

The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust collaborated with stakeholders from the community, Geelong Football Club, and Geographic Names Victoria to ensure the naming was a fitting tribute. The ongoing redevelopment includes a new grandstand, increasing the overall stadium capacity to accommodate 40,000 fans, a northern entry plaza, a sports museum, an indoor cricket hub, function rooms, and technology upgrades.

Minister Steve Dimopoulos expressed, “The Joel Selwood Stand is a fitting honour for the Geelong Cats champion, whose contributions on and off the field have brought so much pride and joy to this region.”

As part of the Stage 5 redevelopment, the Kardinia Park transformation aligns with a 20-year vision, turning the historic venue into an even more exceptional space for watching sport and major events.

With Kardinia Park gearing up to welcome visitors from across Australia and around the world, the fully redeveloped venue promises a packed calendar of events, supporting local businesses and boosting the entire Geelong region. As the Stage 5 redevelopment nears conclusion, the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust looks forward to hosting future events in this multi-purpose venue, managed on behalf of and for the regional community of Victoria.

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