Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Dogs defender takes down Wizard - and abusive fan

Michael Sellwood suffered an injury but came back to be hugely influential in the Bulldogs' win. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Western Bulldogs defender Michael Sellwood has called on the AFL to ban the spectator who called him a "weak something" in a sour aftermath to the thrilling win over Hawthorn.

Sellwood played a key role blunting Hawks livewire Nick Watson as the Bulldogs overturned a 29-point deficit in their 12.5 (77) to 9.17 (71) victory at the MCG on Friday night.

The pair were involved in a running battle throughout the contest, with tension boiling over several times.

Their scuffle after the quarter-time siren lit the fuse for a fiery contest, and they were later among the five Hawks and four Bulldogs fined $1500 each for engaging in melees.

Bulldogs defender Nick Coffield was also fined $1500 for "other misconduct" against Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan.

Each of those fines can be reduced to $1000 with an early guilty plea.

Sellwood ultimately came out on top of Watson, but took exception to a comment from a spectator while Bulldogs players were celebrating their victory post-match.

"I'm not going to repeat what he said ... but I wasn't happy with it," Sellwood told Seven.

"He cowered a bit pretty quickly ... I pointed him out and he cowered a bit, which was quite funny.

"Hopefully, he gets kicked out or something, I don't know."

Sellwood
Michael Sellwood scuffled with Mabior Chol on a feisty night at the MCG. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Watson kicked three goals from nine disposals and spent time in the midfield before half-time as Sellwood was forced off the ground to have an ankle injury assessed.

The Hawthorn star taunted his opponent in a broadcast interview at the main break.

"He's giving me a bit," Watson told Kayo Sports.

"I don't care if he talks, as long as he walks the walk. I'd love to see it in the second half."

The man dubbed 'The Wizard' was granted his wish, with Sellwood restricting him to just two disposals after half-time.

The influential performance came just six days after Sellwood took the match-saving mark in a narrow win over Collingwood.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge was full of praise for the 22-year-old, who was recruited in last year's mid-season rookie draft and made his debut in opening round.

"He showed enormous courage and played through pain, and in the end he got a pretty important scalp," Beveridge said.

The Bulldogs' win was their fourth by a single-figure margin in their past five games, and sixth in total this season, lifting them into fifth on the ladder with an 8-5 record.

It also ended the Dogs' five-match losing streak against Hawthorn (8-4-1), who sit third.

Watson
The Hawks' influential Nick Watson was kept quiet after half-time. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

"We did come here tonight knowing that we have significantly lowered our colours against the Hawks the last couple of years," Beveridge said.

"That eats at you, no matter who you play."

The Bulldogs face a third consecutive six-day break as they prepare to host Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.