Adam Selwood: Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) players and fans pause to remember Eagle after death at age 41

It was a day that was about far more than just football.

And by the end of it, Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) at long last had their first win of the season - but it felt secondary to the outpouring of support for one of the club’s favourites.

The Eagles paid tribute to the life of Adam Selwood with an emotional pre-game tribute, with players at Optus Stadium linking arms and observing a minute’s silence after the death of the 2006 premiership player a day prior at age 41.

His passing came just months after the loss of twin brother Troy, with the football community in mourning.

Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen said the day was about more than the on-field result for the club.

“I know it’s great to win a game of footy, but we’ve lost a legend of our club,” Allen said on Fox.

“I want to send all love and support to the Selwood family.

“Mental health is such a massive thing at the moment.

“I’ve struggled with my own mental battles this year, and I’m so fortunate to have such a great support crew around me to have my back throughout everything we’ve gone through.

“I just urge anyone out there who’s struggling with anything: Please reach out to helplines, friends, please reach out to each other.

“We’re heartbroken, and we just want to offer all the love and support we can to the Selwood family at this time.”

Eagles players donned black armbands in memory of Selwood, who made 187 appearances across 11 seasons at the club.

Selwood played the final games of his AFL career in 2013, alongside current Eagles veteran Jamie Cripps and assistant coach Luke Shuey.

Speaking before the game, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said it had been “a brutal 24 hours” for everyone at the club.

“I’ve worked in footy for a long time, and it’s one of the saddest days we’ve ever had,” McQualter said on Seven.

“Condolences to the Selwood family. We have a lot of our players who were influenced and impacted by Adam over his life.

“We just spoke about playing with his spirit today - the way that Adam was as a person. Hopefully we can do him proud.”

Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson said Selwood - who was also a part of the club’s AFLW program - would be missed.

“He started as a development coach in 2014, and he was a fantastic clubman and a loyal father and husband, and he’s going to be sorely missed,” Simpson said on Fox.

“The West Coast community, along with the rest of the AFL, are really in mourning today.”

Cripps helped the Eagles get a fast start with a first-quarter goal, slapping his black armband in a nod to Selwood.

The WA club took a two-goal lead into the first break, kicking 4.2 (26) in the opening term - their exact tally from the first quarter of the 2006 grand final win that Selwood was a part of.

West Coast will be known as Waalitj Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.