Joel Selwood, Geelong Football Club premiership captain and games record holder will remain linked to Kardinia Park in retirement with the new grandstand being delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s $142 million Stage 5 Redevelopment to be named in his honour.
Gerard Griffin, CEO of Kardinia Park Stadium Trust welcomed the decision to name the Joel Selwood Stand after the retired champion, one of several new elements named as part of the redevelopment officially announced today. “As the Stage 5 redevelopment approaches conclusion, the names announced today formalise the 23-year redevelopment of the stadium. We look forward to the future events we will be able to host using this multi-purpose venue managed on behalf of and for the regional community of Victoria.”
Selwood appointed captain at just age 23, played a club record 355-games for the Cats becoming the club’s games record holder and winning four AFL premierships in a glittering 16 year career between 2007 and 2022. His name has become synonymous with Kardinia Park and will continue to be for decades to come.
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.
Another highlight of the redevelopment will be the new Djilang Plaza recognising the traditional Wadawurrung name for the region, with Kardinia Park being a place of gathering for Wadawurrung People for thousands of years. Facing Moorabool Street, outside Gate 1 at the northern end of the stadium, Djilang Plaza will welcome thousands of spectators to the venue every year, helping spread stories of Wadawurrung.
Geelong Cricket Club assets such as the Bruce Moore Room, Merriman Balcony and the Philip Marshall Stand will all retain their previous names.
The naming process, led by Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, involved significant consultation with key stakeholders, including the general public, Geelong Football Club and the community, while working closely with Geographic Names Victoria.
Construction on the redevelopment managed and delivered by the Trust continues, and once complete will secure the venue’s status as Australia’s best regional stadium and complete the grounds transformation.
Works include a new grandstand increasing the overall stadium capacity to 40,000, northern entry plaza, the Geelong Sports Museum, indoor cricket hub, function rooms and a suite of technology upgrades.
It will mean patrons can enjoy world-class facilities all year round with the venue set to host a packed schedule of sport and entertainment events, which makes Kardinia Park so important to Geelong and the entire region.
