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

Collingwood coach Craig McRae may “release the shackles” and push his side to play faster after their five-goal final term against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

While the Bulldogs won by four points, McRae is asking how he can get his side playing regularly like they did in the final term as they look for a formula that can take them to the finals.

“We kicked 5.5 in the last quarter. There are a lot of questions in the room about why don’t we play like that all the time,” McRae said.

When asked if they needed to play faster, or with more of a carefree attitude, McRae said he wasn’t against it.

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.

Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli has described the feeling of beating Collingwood as being equal to two wins.

The Dogs superstar said his side continued to find ways to get wins this season despite their injury woes.

“They kept at us. [A] three goals [lead] is never enough against Collingwood, neither is four. I’m super proud of that,” Bontempelli told Kayo Sports.

“To win under duress, it almost feels like two wins.