Jet Lachie Hunter marks strongly during this year’s game against the Eastern Ranges, where he picked up 37 disposals. 79720_09 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE TAC Cup ladder suggests the Western Jets perhaps under-performed this season, but the rise of star midfielder Lachie Hunter is one success story worth bragging about.
The 17-year-old originally from Williamstown was one of 45 medium-sized midfielders recently invited to attend this year’s AFL draft combine after decent performances in the national championships and even better efforts in the TAC Cup.
In eight games for the Jets this season, Hunter has averaged nearly 27 disposals and kicked 15 goals, including a recent six-goal haul against Bendigo and a 37-possession, three-goal effort against the Eastern Ranges in April.
“That was probably the highlight of my year,” Hunter said of the Eastern game.
When asked how he managed such impressive numbers in that game, Hunter said he still could not put his finger on it.
“I’ve thought about it and just tried to play like that again, but I can’t really put it down to anything,” he said.
“Nothing in preparation or anything, I guess it was just one of those days where everything falls into place for you.”
Hunter’s father, Mark, played 130 games for Footscray between 1988 and 1996, making Lachie eligible for father-son selection with the Western Bulldogs.
Although Hunter doesn’t really care where he ends up, he said it would be nice to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“Every kid wants to play AFL, but if I got to where Dad played that would be a massive honour,” Hunter said.
“So if it’s the Western Bulldogs that would be the best result possible, but any AFL club would be a dream.”
A massive Bulldogs fan, Hunter said he tried to emulate his idol, Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd, and said he liked the idea of possibly becoming his team-mate.
“I like the way he goes about his footy,” Hunter said of Boyd.
“A lot of contested footy, he gets his own ball, he just seems to do the right things on and off the field and he’s a good leader.”
Aside from his father, Hunter comes from a good sporting pedigree.
His mother, Colleen, played lacrosse for Australia and his cousins Mark and Jarrad McVeigh have had sustained and successful careers in the AFL.
Mark Hunter said he wasn’t convinced Lachie inherited his football abilities from his father.
“He’s more on ball and forward, and I spent all my time down in defence, so there’s a big difference there,” Mark said.
“He’s got a much bigger leap than I had, he’s probably got a lot more flare and flashy attributes than I had.
“My wife was pretty handy too, so I don’t mind where he gets (his talent) from.”
In his final game for the Jets on Saturday, Hunter kicked three goals and was named best on ground in a win over the Calder Cannons.
