2015 was a season of two halves for Lachie Hunter who averaged an impressive 29 disposals per game in the final 8 games. His scintillating latter season output was a big part of the Dogs push into the finals and he’s determined to carry that form over into 2016.
“It was obviously a pretty big turnaround from the first half of the year and I was wrapped that it turned around because I wasn’t really happy with the first half of the year. Hopefully I can keep on with that this year and it’s onwards and upwards from there.”
Hunter didn’t simply turnaround his season, he put in a couple of monster efforts, including a 36 disposal game against the Bombers in round 18 and the big one, a 32 disposal, 10 mark and one goal performance against Collingwood in round 17 that resulted in the 21 year old winning the Sutton-Rose medal for best afield.
After spending time across half forward at senior level and for Footscray in the early part of the season, Hunter settled into a spot on the wing in round 15 and never looked back.
“I didn’t really play there in the early parts, I was more half forward and got to move up there and that was probably the best spot that I’ve found. Hopefully I can keep doing that and the year can be similar.”
Not resting on gains made in 2015 is a theme around the kennel this preseason, and Hunter is no different, he’s come back from the break refreshed and determined to continue to add to his game.
“I went up to the country with a couple of mates like we do every year and I got in a solid block of training by myself and a couple of other boys at different stages. It’s good, I’ve come back feeling fresh and ready to go.
“Fitness is obviously the main one you want to add every preseason and we’ve had a couple of really good sessions now and I feel like I’m building a really good fitness base. Hopefully I can start off the year the way I finished it last year.”
And while he’s happy to back at the Club with his teammates, it’s the feeling that the real stuff isn’t far away that’s driving him.
“It’s (preseason) hard and you love it - but you’d rather play games than train and it becomes a bit of a grind after a couple of weeks - so everyone is hanging out for NAB cup and into the games.
“Once you make it past the Chrissie break you really feel like you’re through the worst of the preseason and the games are just around the corner. I’m really looking forward to it now.”
