It’s clear Joel Selwood and Corey Enright have a bond that goes beyond the football field.
The duo is sitting on a veranda at the Tradewinds hotel in Perth, reminiscing as Selwood is just days away from breaking the Cats all-time games record which Enright now holds.
It’s a relationship that spans 15 years since 2007, in which time Selwood has been Enright’s captain and Enright Selwood’s coach.
It’s such a strong connection that Joel was one of the first Enright turned to when he decided to hang up the boots.
“I had an understanding that I was one of the first you told and I always respected that,” Selwood tells Enright.
“It wasn’t the easiest conversation I had that day.
“It was pretty hard to hear when you said that you were finishing because I think I even asked you at the time, ‘are you sure you don’t want to take some more time?’”
“I remember walking back to my apartment being pretty flat but also so proud at the same time.”
“I just didn’t want you to go to be honest.”
Enright broke the news to his captain face-to-face, because of the level of respect between the two footballers and friends.
It’s fitting that when the Cats run out against the Giants in Friday night’s semi final, it will be Selwood who breaks Enright’s games record in the Hoops.
Selwood’s 333 outing will be the most in club history.
“If ever someone was going to take over a record or a mantle, it’s nice to be this fella here,” Enright says.
“He’s an outstanding person, an outstanding player and he’s driven the culture and the legacy of our football club.”
Selwood credits Enright with that winning Cats culture.
“We were always going to be ok because you set up an environment like that and I’m always going to be grateful for that,” he says of his premiership teammate.
Enright fondly remembers the summer of 2007, when a young Joel Selwood arrived at the club with a dodgy knee and something to prove.
“When Joel came in he was bull at a gate, you knew what you were going to get,” Enright says.
“It was quite refreshing to see this kid come in and drive standards from day one.
“He was very respectful when he came in, but he had a sense of purpose with what he was here to do and he was in a hurry to get there.
“You knew straight away what type of person he was going to be but also that he was going to get the best out of himself.”
Selwood says he was just trying to live up to the expectations set by those above him.
“I was young, but it felt like you guys were on a mission at that stage, led by yourself and a number of the other guys," he says to Enright.
“Coming into an environment that was so competitive, I just had my eyes on the prize.”
After seeing young Selwood’s commitment to the cause, Enright isn't surprised to see his captain knock off his record, and can’t see him stopping anytime soon.
“He can keep going and playing his role and contributing so well and lead us so well at what he does so I’d hate to put a number on it,” Enright says.
“He doesn’t seem to be missing too many games so something’s going on. He must have some amazing powers down there at Barwon Heads.
“Hopefully he continues to build that games tally and continues to go on for as long as he wants because it’s nice to see the number 14 running around in the hoops.”
