A natural footballer with an appetite for hard work is how Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple best describes the Western Bulldogs newest addition, father-son selection Lachlan Hunter.
The Bulldogs confirmed the teenager’s fate yesterday during the Club’s father-son bidding process at Etihad Stadium and while Dalrymple had him pegged as a top 30 draft pick, Hunter will come to Whitten Oval for a third round pick predicted to be around selection 50.
“Lachie… who will end up being at about pick 50, we see as a real bargain for us, that we rated him in between 25 and 30 and obviously the Kangaroos bid for him at 35,” Dalrymple said.
“Really rapt to have him on board we have been working with him in the last two years as part of our father son program and he has really impressed us, he’s matured.
“The thing with Lachie is he hasn’t turned 18 yet, his birthdate is in December so he is only a few weeks off being under 17, so he is still very young but we see a lot of positive attributes with him.”
The Western Jets recruit plays through the midfield with a proven ability to shift forward and kick goals and will be a valuable addition to the Kennel for years to come.
Ranking first in the agility tests at the AFL Draft Combine, perhaps it’s the intangible quality of terrific game sense that has Dalrymple most excited.
“He is a real natural footballer, got really good decision making skills [and] can kick a goal,” Dalrymple said.
“Has got good endurance, he didn’t have a great week at the combine but there’s probably a few other factors involved there - but [he’s also] got great agility which was supported at the combine.
“ He’s got things he has to work on but he is a real natural footballer… his hands in close aren’t far behind a [Tom] Liberatore and a [Mitch] Wallis.”
Hunter’s goal sense also plays a big part in the seventeen year old’s appeal.
“That is a huge attraction for us, we want our midfielders to go forward and kick goals and he can play those two roles, so that is a really positive,” Dalrymple said.
The new recruit’s time around the Club puts him in good stead to attack his first full pre-season with no illusions of the hard work and dedication that will be required.
“[Having been part of the Club’s father-son program] he is as best placed to be aware of the workload as any kid in Australia so it is a great advantage for him,” Dalrymple said.
Hunter, son of 130 gamer Mark, is also well versed in Senior Coach Brendan McCartney’s expectations, having met with him on a number of a occasions.
“I spoke to him pre-season and he just probably highlighted the focuses that he has placed on the club and the values that he wants in there,” Hunter said.
“It was really insightful, it gave me a good understanding of what is going to be required and what I have to do next year.”
