Luke Dahlhaus’ approach to football is simple, run to as many contests and compete until either he or his teammate is in a position of advantage, Development Coach Ashley Hansen says.
The livewire forward may have become a cult figure at the Bulldogs for his tricks, but Hansen said his persistent attack on the contest and courage is equally valued around the Club.
“He’s just got a great appetite for the contest Luke, and that’s what he brings,” Hansen said.
“He plays the game in a very simple way – he just gets to as many contests as he can and if he’s not in the advantaged side to win it, he just brings it to deck where then he can be involved again.
“It’s a pretty simple way to do it but it’s a great way to play, especially for a small forward – he just creates opportunities not only for himself but for others around him, so he is bringing others into the game.”
Luke’s defensive pressure was also lauded by Hansen, with his ability to bring his teammates into the game off the back of his sheer dedication a major highlight.
“His defensive side is just unbelievable and his workrate to get to the contest, to halve the contest, to keep the ball inside 50 to get a repeat stoppage, is a real asset that he brings to the team and very important for setting the standard for guys around him,” he said.
The spark Dahlhaus brings to the side is pivotal — and as the 20-year-old adds to his 35 game career, his finishing skills will naturally continue to evolve.
Hansen said adjusting Dahlhaus’ kicking technique marginally to better hit up targets in the forward line is the next phase of the young pup’s development through the midfield and as a forward.
“Luke’s got a real natural hook in his kick and with his snaps and his dribbles he is so great at that that we don’t want to take that away from him,” he said.
“What we do want to improve is just his efficiency going inside 50 because we believe that his speed and his ability to find the football through the midfield will put him in a lot of positions where he can use his teammates going inside 50.”
