WESTERN Bulldogs have snared another son of a gun. Lachie Hunter, the son of 130-game defender Mark, will move to the kennel under the father-son rule.
The Bulldogs surrendered third round pick 46 in the AFL national draft after North Melbourne signalled its intentions to take the Western Jets product with its pick, 11 spots higher.
“We’re thrilled to acquire Lachie,” Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple said.
“Obviously his father was a very good player for the Bulldogs.
“We think that Lachie, with the season he’s had to date, has been really impressive.
“We think as a forward and a midfielder he can add something to our group.”
Hunter was a highly rated junior.
He played for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships and had a solid TAC Cup experience.
His bread and butter is his ability to win the ball in traffic in the midfield, but he also impressed pinch-hitting as a dangerous crumbing forward.
Hunter, 17, 181cm and 78kg, was rapt to hear the Bulldogs commit to him with the third-round selection.
“It’s a huge honour to play at the club where dad played,” he said. “I really can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Bulldogs already have three father-sons on their books. Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Ayce Cordy have followed in their fathers’ footsteps.
In another trade development, the Bulldogs have been in a transition period since Brendan McCartney’s arrival as coach. They sped up the process hours after the father-son bidding with the trade of veteran full-back Brian Lake and pick 27 to Hawthorn in exchange for picks 21 and 41 in the national draft.
The Bulldogs have a war chest of draft picks, including three first-round selections barring any further trades, in what shapes as one of the most important drafts for the club in years.
Meanwhile, captain Matthew Boyd claimed his third Charles Sutton Medal as club best-and-fairest with 168 votes, ahead of Ryan Griffen (150) and Liam Picken (110).
