AMID celebrating the Western Bulldogs' first flag since 1954, premiership captain Easton Wood sent a text message to Dan Hannebery to check on the Sydney player's health after a sliding incident left the star midfielder injured. 

Both players contested a loose ball in the opening minutes of the final term and Wood collided with Hannebery's left knee. 

It left Hannebery hobbled with a medial ligament strain that meant he could not run for four weeks. He tried to return to the field in the decider after having the joint strapped but ultimately he was forced to spectate. 

Hannebery told News Corp that Wood had showed his character by making contact to see how the onballer was faring. 

"Easton is a great guy and a sensational player. He messaged me two days after the Grand Final," Hannebery said.

"He was within his rights to still be celebrating for another six-to-eight weeks and not even think about it. 

"It shows the calibre of the man and the culture the Bulldogs are creating. He got on the front foot and messaged me. Full credit to him, it shows the quality of the bloke and player he is." 

That incident was controversially not paid as a free kick to Sydney, with then-umpires boss Luke Ball saying the decision should have gone in the Swans' favour.

Hannebery, 26, said umpires needed to pay such decisions.

"If both players are standing on their feet and someone gets hurt, that's bad luck. But if someone slides in and chops the legs out, no matter who it is and no matter where it is, it has to be a free kick," he said. 

"I think everyone agrees on that one."

The rule to protect players under such circumstances was brought in after fellow Swan Gary Rohan suffered a compound fracture in his right leg when taken out by North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas at the SCG. 

"It was umpired really well throughout the year (2016). Players and umpires alike have accepted the fact you have to stay on your feet and contest the ball," Hannebery said.