What Will He Bring - Michael Sellwood

For the first time in history, the Western Bulldogs entered last night’s Mid-Season draft armed with two picks, following both the call to start the season with a list vacancy, and the decision earlier this week to place Cody Weightman on the inactive list, due to a persistent knee injury.

With Pick 5, the Bulldogs added Michael Sellwood to its ranks - a rebounding defender who has impressed for Peel Thunder in the WAFL this season. While mid-season draftees can sign a contract up to 18 months in length, Sellwood’s deal lasts for only six months - until the end of 2025.

THE PLAYER:

Name: Michael Sellwood

Height: 186cm

Position: Half Back Flank

Club: Peel Thunder

WHAT THEY SAID:

“Very, very brave in the air and we think he’ll add immediately to our ability to intercept the ball.”

“He drives ball movement as well with a penetrating kick.

“He’s put together a great body of work over a couple of seasons now including in the Grand Final last year against East Perth.

“His ability to intercept, even though he’s a little bit smaller, reminds me a little bit of Liam Jones.” - Michael Regan, Player Acquisition and Strategy Manager

2025 SEASON (SO FAR):

Fresh off winning last year’s WAFL premiership, Sellwood kicked on to take his game to another level, averaging 23.7 disposals, 7.1 marks, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 tackles in the seven games that he played for Peel Thunder - numbers that were all up on his 2024 campaign. So strong was his form that he was selected to play for Western Australia in a representative game against South Australia, picking up 19 disposals and eight marks in a WA win.

In his most recent game for Peel, he collected 24 disposals, five marks and six tackles in a heavy defeat, but his standout performance of the season came two weeks earlier, when he produced a 30-disposal, nine-mark outing.

WHAT WILL HE BRING:

Despite there not being much information available about Sellwood outside of basic numbers from the WAFL and eye-witness testimonies, Sellwood seems to approach footy with a very uncomplicated game plan: win the ball back, run out of defence, and kick it long - all of which are traits the Bulldogs definitely need more of in defence.

Since the arrival of backline coach Daniel Pratt, the Bulldogs have placed a big emphasis on building a backline that are all adept at winning the ball back, and Player Acquisition and Strategy Manager Michael Regan placed great emphasis on intercepting being a key part of Sellwood’s game.

Regarding run-and-carry out of the Bulldogs’ defence, a lot has fallen on the shoulders of Bailey Dale to provide that drive out of the backline, thanks to both the move of Ed Richards and Joel Freijah into the midfield, and the decline in form of Lachie Bramble. Another player with run and elite foot skills like Sellwood will provide Bailey Dale some much-needed relief, and will give opposition clubs something to think about.