AFL mid-season draft: Peel Thunder’s Michael Sellwood says he has Fremantle veterans to thank for AFL dream

Playing in a backline that has included hardened league footballers like Oscar McDonald, Ethan Hughes and James Aish is what Michael Sellwood credits with turning him into an AFL defender. And the Baldivis product says he can’t thank Peel Thunder enough for turning his AFL dream into a reality. He became one of four West Australian-based players to be added to a list in Wednesday night’s mid-season rookie draft, alongside East Fremantle’s Lachie Blakiston and Victorian WAFL recruits Roan Steele and Archer May. SEE EVERY PLAYER SELECTED IN THE AFL’S MID-SEASON DRAFT Sellwood is a Thunder premiership player who has developed into one of the top defenders in the State league competition. He was the first West Aussie taken in the draft and landed at the Western Bulldogs with pick five. Sellwood had also met with Port Adelaide as recently as their trip to Perth to play Fremantle at the weekend, but he was never getting past the Western Bulldogs’ first selection. The 21-year-old has played in a Thunder backline loaded with Dockers players for the past two seasons. He said that has been the “massive” change in his career after being overlooked in a series of drafts. “Massive. I couldn’t thank Peel enough and the opportunity they’ve given me, that’s probably the reason I’m drafted, because I’m playing with people that are at the AFL level and getting tips and tricks off them,” Sellwood told The West Australian. “It’s just unbelievable.” Sellwood’s family broke down in tears and a group of mates were by his side when his name was read out. “I’m really overwhelmed, as soon as it happened I had the family and stuff around me and it was very overwhelming,” he said. “I’m so excited and ready to go, it’s bloody unbelievable, that’s for sure.” The 43-game Thunder player said he wasn’t expecting to play immediately in a high-functioning Bulldogs backline, but was ready if an early opportunity came his way. “I 100 per cent do. I know Bulldogs are a strong side, they’ve got some really good players, especially in the backline, so my expectations aren’t to play straight away, I’ve just got to earn my stripes and play some good footy, whether that’s in the VFL,” Sellwood said. “You’ve just got to play your stuff and it sort of goes from there.”