AFL clubs are required to cover the flights and accommodation of just two family members when a debutant plays their first game interstate.

But for Perth-raised Western Bulldogs defender Michael Sellwood, that figure was nowhere near enough to accommodate his two parents and nine siblings who had waited his entire life to witness his first taste of AFL football.

Sellwood, 22, joined the Bulldogs with pick no.5 in last year’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft, and debuted on Saturday night in a thrilling win over reigning premiers Brisbane.

With most of his family forced to open their own wallets to see him in action, all but Sellwood’s three youngest siblings made the four and a half hour flight to watch him play at The Gabba.

However, those who missed out — Xavier, Lewis and Rose — did share a moment with their brother in the rooms after the game on FaceTime.

Speaking to afl.com.au on Monday after his first win in Bulldogs colours, the mature-aged rookie said he was grateful to have his family’s support on the special day.

“Post-game was unbelievable. I was able to sort of get around everyone and see them all afterwards. Dad got really emotional, was tearing up after the game and he never gets emotional; that was really cool to see,” Sellwood said.

“All my brothers were there and they never really tell me how proud they are of me, but they all said how proud they are, which makes me get emotional thinking about it now.

“It was a really good experience and you see how much people ride the journey along with you and those that have supported you throughout the journey, how it means so much to them as well.”

With enough siblings to fill half a classroom, Sellwood underwent home-schooling alongside his brothers and sisters on the family’s six-acre property in Baldivis, before attending Aquinas College in Year 8.

However, he doesn’t believe he was disconnected from other kids growing up.

“I never felt like I was isolated or sheltered in that sense,” Sellwood said.

“I had friends that were home-schooled and then friends from footy or through soccer or various stuff like that. I don’t think I turned out too weird, but I know it’s a common stereotype because it’s different. I think we all turned out pretty well.”

One of several Aquinas products his age to play AFL, Sellwood lives with good mate and former student Jesse Motlop in Melbourne.

Sydney’s Corey Warner, brother of Chad, was also in Sellwood’s year, with Warner’s teammate Logan McDonald the year above.

“I remember the first day that I was at Aquinas there was a big food fight at lunchtime and I was sort of getting involved, and I just remember thinking: how good is this? It was harmless but just so much fun. I was always a loud and boisterous sort of person, so I didn’t struggle to sort of fit in and make friends,” he added.

“Then when footy came around it was a lot easier too. My fondest memories of footy were at Aquinas, especially year 11 and 12 for the first 18, where you’re just playing with your best mates. That was easily my favourite time playing footy.”

Forced to watch on as his mates got drafted before him, Sellwood caught the attention of AFL recruiters only after playing in Peel’s 2024 WAFL premiership..

With a professional footy career never guaranteed, the defender was on a teaching placement in Perth when he got selected in 2025’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

His chance of making it to the AFL had not gone unnoticed by his students, however, who were acutely aware of his big-time prospects.

“Before the end of the day, people were getting my signatures and I was just like, oh this is so funny,” Sellwood recalled.

“The next day I wasn’t there. It just sort of all happened really quickly.”

Sellwood’s debut featured a game-high seven tackles, along with five kicks, five handballs, and two marks.