West Coast Eagles debutant Milan Murdock thanks Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew for first goal after on-field clash

West Coast debutant Milan Murdock has taken to social media to cheekily thank Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew for his first goal in the AFL.

In one of his first acts at the top level, Murdock won a free kick for pinning the Suns defender holding the ball in the forward pocket and promptly received a 50-metre penalty after copping a retaliatory shove which sparked a brief melee.

He made no mistake from the goal square to kick his side’s first major of the day, which was one of two he slotted while also winning 22 disposals in a 59-point defeat.

On Monday morning, Murdock took to Instagram to post a photo with Andrew, which appeared to have been taken in Optus Stadium’s change rooms at some point in the past.

‘Thanks for my first goal,’ the caption reads along with an emoji of a goat, which means greatest of all time in modern sporting parlance.

Speaking after the game, Murdock told Channel 7 he had experienced several surreal moments over the course of his debut.

“Sitting on the bench at three-quarter-time, I was actually pinching myself (and saying) wake up,” Murdock said.

“I still can’t believe it. I’ve worked so bloody hard to get here.

“I’m just extremely grateful for the West Coast footy club. I’m loving life at the moment, I’m so happy.

“This was probably the most fun game of footy I’ve ever been a part of, it was so quick and so contested. Everything was just so enjoyable.”

Gold Coast coach Damian Hardwick said he would work with Andrew — one of the league’s best young key position players who signed a contract believed to be worth up to $12 million in 2024 — on controlling his aggression.

“I was disappointed with that tonight,” Hardwick said.

“He’s better than that. I know he’s better than that. That frustrated me.

“Generally, there’s times where I can handle it, but he overstepped the mark tonight. He knows that.”