A career-best game for Lachie Hunter has seen the 20-year-old Bulldog awarded with the Sutton-Rose medal in the Dogs’ win over Collingwood on Sunday.
The two clubs played off for the Robert Rose Cup, with Hunter awarded the best on ground after 32 disposals, ten marks and a goal.
It was the young forward’s sixth game for 2015 and easily a season-high, with Hunter crediting his performance to a high work rate.
“I’ve been playing a bit higher up on the wing so it was just to play my role there and whatever happens off the back of it does, and I worked hard and got the reward today.”
Hunter started much like his side, with 11 disposals in the first quarter and being rewarded for his high work rate with several turnovers in the first term.
“We started really well in the first quarter and just beat them out of the blocks and we were able to keep it going for the four quarters.
“(We) got a little bit nervous there early in the fourth but we were able to steady back and get the win.”
The Dogs had spark from the start of the match, with the electrifying ball movement that has been a trademark of their game this year on show.
Hunter played a key link-up role through the midfield, with 10 score involvements and gaining 516 metres – the most of any Bulldog.
“We spoke about playing on the edge before the game and just really being fired up,” Hunter said.
“We brought that from the opening bounce and I think it was evident with how we played the first quarter.”
Sutton-Rose Medal Voting
6 Lachie Hunter (WB)
3 Matthew Boyd (WB)
2 Steele Sidebottom (Coll)
2 Dane Swan (Coll)
2 Robert Murphy (WB)
2 Tory Dickson (WB)
1 Mitch Wallis (WB)
* The voting panel for the 2015 Sutton-Rose Medal were Cameron Mooney (Fox Footy/SEN 1116), Danny Frawley (Triple M/Fox Footy), Chris Connolly (AFL Live Radio/Crocmedia).
