Ahead of Thursday’s NAB AFL Draft, westernbulldogs.com.au profiles some of the Club’s best late picks. Today, it’s a resilient defender who had a glittering career at two clubs.
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Taken at pick 71 in the 2001 National Draft, Brian Lake arrived at Whitten Oval from Woodville West-Torrens.
Over 12 seasons in the red, white and blue, Lake built a reputation as one of the league's best key defenders.
In 2007 he was awarded the Charles Sutton Medal, and he was selected in the 2009 and 2010 All Australian teams.
Lake's 2011 season was cruelled by injury, and although he regained some of his best form the following year, he transferred to Hawthorn ahead of the 2013 season.
Lake’s move was timely, with the defender part of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Hawthorn premiership sides.
He was awarded the North Smith Medal for best on ground in the 2013 Grand Final.
Lake finished his time at the Bulldogs having made 197 season appearances.
The Brian Lake Files
Drafted: Selection 71, 2001
Played: 2002- 2012 (WBFC), 2013-2015 (HFC)
Games: 197 (WBFC), 54 (HFC)
Goals: 34 (WBFC), 2 (HFC)
Best & Fairest: 2007
All-Australian: 2009, 2010
3 x Hawthorn Premiership player: 2013, 2014, 2015
Norm Smith Medal: 2013
