‘Unbelievable’: Sellwood on realising childhood dream in Mid-Season Rookie DraftThursday, May 29, 2025 - 11:41 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Michael Sellwood has opened up on the “unbelievable” feeling of realising his childhood dream in Wednesday night’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The Peel Thunder premiership defender was the first of four West Aussies read out in the draft as the Western Bulldogs snapped him up with pick five.

It’s been a long time coming for the 21-year-old, who’s been banging down the door for several years at WAFL level.

“It was unbelievable, it’s been a childhood dream of mine so for it to come true and happen is mind-blowing but I’m really keen to get stuck in with the Bulldogs,” Sellwood told SportFM.

 

 

 

 

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Sellwood has an impressive footy resume including colts and senior flags with the Thunder and representing the Kia WAFL State Team two years in a row including the recent drought-breaking win over the SANFL at Adelaide Oval.

The hard-nosed defender machine started his football journey at Baldivis, going through juniors there until entering the WAFL system while still playing PSA for Aquinas College.

Sellwood made his senior WAFL debut at the start of 2023 alongside several current Fremantle Dockers before cementing his spot in the side, tallying 43 games including two consecutive grand finals.

He also featured for Baldivis Brumbies’ seniors in the Perth Football League’s C1-Grade competition, kicking the match-winning goal after the siren on debut.

 

 

 

 

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“I owe them getting drafted,” Sellwood said about coming through Baldivis and Peel Thunder.

“I started in the under-14s and have gone through the whole system from (WAFL) colts to league and they’ve been massive for me and that’s the reason I’ve been drafted.

“They’ve shown a lot of faith in me and I couldn’t be more grateful for Peel, they’re an unbelievable club and I love them to bits.”

Sellwood credited Dockers pair Karl Worner, James Aish and former Fremantle-listed player Ethan Hughes for their guidance along the way during their time at Peel together.

He believes his time in the Thunder’s senior WAFL squad will hold him in good stead for an AFL debut should it come his way at the Bulldogs.

“I wasn’t ready when I was at, I was sort of a late developer in that sense and I think I’m definitely ready whenever that time may be,” Sellwood said.