GMHBA Stadium stand named after Cats premiership hero

THE legacy of Geelong Football Club premiership captain and games record holder Joel Selwood has grown even in retirement, with the new grandstand at GMBHA Stadium named in his honour.

The stand is being delivered as part of the Victorian government’s $142 million Stage 5 redevelopment.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin welcomed the unveiling of the Joel Selwood Stand, one of several new elements named as part of the redevelopment officially announced earlier this week.

“As the Stage 5 redevelopment approaches conclusion, the names announced today formalise the 23-year redevelopment of the stadium,” Mr Griffin said.

“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.”

Appointed captain of the Cats at 23, Selwood played a club record 355 games, becoming the club’s games record holder and winning four AFL premierships (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2022) in a 16-year career between 2007 and 2022.

He retired not long after the end of the 2022 season with several league records including most games as club captain (245) and a record 40 finals.

Off the field, Selwood is a strong member of the Geelong community and a passionate advocate for the region.

Geelong Cricket Club assets in Stage 5 such as the Bruce Moore Stand, 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, the Djliang Plaza to the north, 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.