Retiring Geelong legend Joel Selwood reveals he only had THREE beers after the grand final

Joel Selwood has explained how a P-plater came to his rescue after the grand final, but she had no idea who he was.

Selwood announced his retirement on Wednesday, leaving the AFL on a high after guiding Geelong to a seismic 81-point victory over the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday.

However, despite enjoying just three beers after the game, Selwood landed himself in a spot of bother on his return home and misplaced his keys.

Joel Selwood has revealed how he was helped by a P-plater after Saturday’s grand final

Stuck at a service station, Selwood sought the help of a young pub worker called Emily, who was unable to identify the four-time premiership winner sitting in her P-plated car.

‘I jumped in the car and I asked her how her day was and she wasn’t in the best of moods to be honest, it was a busy day at the pub and she didn’t really pick up who I was at the time. 

‘She asked me how my day was and I said “it was actually pretty good” and then she asked what did I get up to, I said “I actually played in the game today” and she still hadn’t picked up who I was, which was a nice thing.

The 34-year-old says he only drank three beers after the Cats’ 81-point win over Sydney

He was left stranded at a servo but a helpful P-plater was unaware of Selwood’s identity

‘And then she asked for my name and started swearing at herself. We picked up the key, we drove back to the car and I told Emily that I actually have the [premiership] cup in the car and would she like a photo.

‘She got her photo and drove back home to Geelong.’ 

Selwood admitted that his consumption of just three beers was ‘a bit boring’ but his pregnant wife, Brit, was ‘exhausted’ after a hectic day in Melbourne and he wanted to get her home. 

Brit and his mother Maree were visibly emotional as he delivered the news many Cats fans were hoping they wouldn’t hear for at least another year. 

Selwood announced his AFL retirement on Wednesday and leaves as one of the Cats’ best ever

‘About six weeks ago, I decided that this would be the time to finish my playing days at the Geelong footy club – win, lose, or draw – come the end of the year,’ Selwood told reporters.

Selwood said he had spoken to the likes of Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart about his decision.

‘They all want me to play on. That’s not going to be the case,’ he said.

‘I decided I could go probably at 85 per cent next year and everyone would look after me but I had to be all in.’