Suspended midfielder Lachie Hunter has become an influential football mentor for the emerging crop of Bulldogs youngsters over the last few weeks.

While he’ll be unable to return to the field for the next three matches, Hunter has focussed on imparting his significant knowledge and understanding of the team’s structures to his developing team-mates.

“He’s been really good – he’s been vocal, and his leadership skills have been really good,” team-mate Josh Dunkley told SEN radio on Tuesday.

“He’s been awesome for the younger guys.  He’s educating them, along with the team - the guys who are playing in his position.

“He’s helping them, even post-game looking at vision and post-training, always pulling those guys aside.

“It’s great that he’s still involved and still helping out where he can.

“It’s obviously disappointing not to be playing footy, but hopefully when he comes back he really performs for us.”

Hunter is eligible to return from his club suspension in Round 6 of the 2020 season.