AFL LIVE: ‘I had to go’: Bulldogs’ unlikely hero speaks after his match-winning mark over Pies in Marvel blockbuster

The Western Bulldogs held on for dear life to beat the one-time comeback kings Collingwood – and they have two of their least experienced players to thank.

Michael Sellwood, a mid-season pick from last year, and Will Lewis, the last player onto their list, were the heroes for the Dogs, who held off the fast-finishing Pies to win a thriller by four points – 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93).

Sellwood created his own Leo Barry moment, running back with the flight to take a huge pack mark and extinguish a frantic forward thrust by the Pies in the dying seconds.

Minutes earlier, Lewis, a civil engineer who played Amateur football last year for Old Brighton, kicked a priceless goal to push the margin beyond a straight kick.

The Pies trailed by as much as 25 points in the second half and were three goals down midway through the final term. When Tim Membrey slammed home a goal with 85 seconds left, a big steal seemed very possible.

But the Pies have now failed to win four of their past five games decided by a goal or less, their only win coming after Carlton’s Talor Byrne could not convert after the siren to draw the game.

The Pies were brave, given their injury toll, but could not win despite huge games from Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury and Jordan De Goey, who had 37, 33 and 30 disposals respectively.

It begs the question, what more do their stars have to do for the Pies to beat teams around them on the ladder?

The Bulldogs were out on their legs in the final term but willed themselves to the line.

Their senior players stepped up.

Tim English took a huge pack mark on the wing to ice the game. Aaron Naughton, quiet for much of the night, snapped a vital goal. Ed Richards also booted a big goal.

After hitting a trough through April, the Dogs have put their season back on track with two narrow wins which could make a huge difference in deciding their finals fate.