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View Full Version : Behind Lachie Hunters exit from the Western Bulldogs



GVGjr
18-03-2023, 09:52 AM
Behind Lachie Hunter’s exit from the Western Bulldogs (https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/melbourne/behind-lachie-hunters-exit-from-the-western-bulldogs-ahead-of-first-match-with-melbourne/news-story/801bec885253fb02860473108a2630ee)

https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a5608bb7f53348fbaba2ee4ea3fd86ba?width=1024

Easily forgotten in the sordid saga that led to the sacking of journalist Tom Morris is the chain of events that led to Morris being in the headlines in the first place.

The night before the video of Morris making distasteful remarks about a colleague went viral, he’d been berated by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge about preying on leaks from inside the club.

Specifically, it had been on the matter of Lachie Hunter and a Bulldogs plan to leave him out of the season opener and grand final rematch against Melbourne.

Twelve months on, Morris has a new job and so does Hunter.

Much was made of Brodie Grundy joining Melbourne despite having five years to run on his deal with Collingwood.

Less of a big deal, but potentially just as significant for the Demons, was their acquisition of Hunter, who had two years left to run on his deal at the Dogs, where he had signed a five-year extension in early 2019.

At that point in time, it would have been close to inconceivable that Hunter would be at a different club within four years.

He was 24, a father-son recruit, premiership player and reigning Charles Sutton Medallist. By the start of 2020, he had been appointed vice-captain to Marcus Bontempelli. His future looked as bankable as any player at any club.

The beginning of Hunter’s end at Whitten Oval came only months into that seismic year. With the AFL on an indefinite hiatus because of Covid-19, Hunter went for a drive while over the legal limit, crashing his car into four parked cars. He was banned for four matches and gave up the vice-captaincy.

He returned for a couple of matches following that ban before taking personal leave. Although Hunter finished 2020 strongly, his 2021 was only middling.

While the wingman played 25 matches as the Dogs surged to the grand final, Hunter missed the top 10 of the best and fairest and didn’t poll a Brownlow Medal vote. By the start of 2022, he was on the periphery of the line-up and after a month he took another break. In and out of the team after his return, Hunter’s final game for the Dogs would prove to be the elimination final loss to Fremantle.

He was traded for just a future third-rounder, a relative pittance.

Easily forgotten in the sordid saga that led to the sacking of journalist Tom Morris is the chain of events that led to Morris being in the headlines in the first place.

The night before the video of Morris making distasteful remarks about a colleague went viral, he’d been berated by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge about preying on leaks from inside the club.

Specifically, it had been on the matter of Lachie Hunter and a Bulldogs plan to leave him out of the season opener and grand final rematch against Melbourne.

Twelve months on, Morris has a new job and so does Hunter.

Much was made of Brodie Grundy joining Melbourne despite having five years to run on his deal with Collingwood.

Less of a big deal, but potentially just as significant for the Demons, was their acquisition of Hunter, who had two years left to run on his deal at the Dogs, where he had signed a five-year extension in early 2019.

At that point in time, it would have been close to inconceivable that Hunter would be at a different club within four years.

He was 24, a father-son recruit, premiership player and reigning Charles Sutton Medallist. By the start of 2020, he had been appointed vice-captain to Marcus Bontempelli. His future looked as bankable as any player at any club.

The beginning of Hunter’s end at Whitten Oval came only months into that seismic year. With the AFL on an indefinite hiatus because of Covid-19, Hunter went for a drive while over the legal limit, crashing his car into four parked cars. He was banned for four matches and gave up the vice-captaincy.

He returned for a couple of matches following that ban before taking personal leave. Although Hunter finished 2020 strongly, his 2021 was only middling.

While the wingman played 25 matches as the Dogs surged to the grand final, Hunter missed the top 10 of the best and fairest and didn’t poll a Brownlow Medal vote. By the start of 2022, he was on the periphery of the line-up and after a month he took another break. In and out of the team after his return, Hunter’s final game for the Dogs would prove to be the elimination final loss to Fremantle.

He was traded for just a future third-rounder, a relative pittance.

For Melbourne, whose midfield was choc-full of inside beasts but needed a neat outside runner, Hunter was a tidy fit.

Dees skipper Max Gawn says the club couldn’t quite believe its luck.

“I understand things happen at different clubs, but he’s someone who comes to your team where you can’t understand why he’s no longer at his old team just by what he brings,” Gawn says.

“But obviously he needed a change, Western Bulldogs needed a change.

“He’s unbelievable by foot. He’s a great character, he was the vice-captain at the Western Bulldogs, he’s a strong communicator.

“I think we’re quite lucky to be able to get him, I feel like it’s a bit of a steal.

“And looking forward to playing some footy with him.”

While Gawn did not drive Hunter’s recruitment, he provided input for the decision, allaying any concerns over the wingman’s character.

“The process was similar to most processes with players we’ve traded in.

“I was able to add character references where I could, be able to say how hard of a player he was to play against, which he is. And then the rest sort of takes care of itself.”

And so, as luck has it, Hunter’s first match with his new side will be against his old side.

For Bontempelli, his premiership teammate’s departure showed that there are few happy endings in football.

“It’s always, in a way, sad to see those things. But I think at the time, it obviously was the right thing for both sides,” Bontempelli says.

“Lachie had a tough couple of years and a change of scenery might have been the best thing for him.”

Certainly, there will be no underestimating Hunter’s capacity.

“Coming up against him, you know what to expect. He’s a great runner, he uses the ball pretty well and he can cut you up at different points, so we’ll have to be wary.

“He’ll know what we’re probably going to do and how we might play, and we’ll know a little bit of what he can sort of do.

“I know what he’s like. He’ll be quite vocal and there’ll be some smart alec comments no doubt from him at different points.”

GVGjr
18-03-2023, 09:57 AM
Does this turn up the heat on tonight's encounter just a bit?

jazzadogs
18-03-2023, 09:57 AM
I had seen this excerpt
“I understand things happen at different clubs, but he’s someone who comes to your team where you can’t understand why he’s no longer at his old team just by what he brings,” Gawn says.
and I was ready to tee off, but it's really a nothing article.

GVGjr
18-03-2023, 10:12 AM
I'm glad he is moved on along and after tonight I hope he plays some good football with the Dees.
We let him go cheaply so we didn't have to contribute towards his salary so hopefully win win.

bulldogtragic
18-03-2023, 10:20 AM
I'm glad he is moved on along and after tonight I hope he plays some good football with the Dees.
We let him go cheaply so we didn't have to contribute towards his salary so hopefully win win.

That’s confirmed, no salary contributed? Huge if correct.

Hotdog60
18-03-2023, 10:52 AM
I'm a bit confused, was Hunter mouthing off to Morris? Let him know he wasn't playing?
Did Bevo find out and that was the end of Hunter?
So many question and nothing really answered.

jeemak
18-03-2023, 11:15 AM
I'm a bit confused, was Hunter mouthing off to Morris? Let him know he wasn't playing?
Did Bevo find out and that was the end of Hunter?
So many question and nothing really answered.

There was speculation Hunter was backgrounding due to being shitty.

It's a nothing article, albeit framed initially to make it look like the crazy Bulldogs were at it again. Glad they included some commentary from Bont, which was pretty dry.

Rocket Science
18-03-2023, 12:49 PM
Whatever the circumstances that image still hits like a knife in the guts.

BornInDroopSt'54
18-03-2023, 02:11 PM
Whatever the circumstances that image still hits like a knife in the guts.
I'm surprised I do not feel the same way.
He looks like a turncoat in it and it looks too big.

EasternWest
18-03-2023, 02:38 PM
Whatever the circumstances that image still hits like a knife in the guts.


I'm surprised I do not feel the same way.
He looks like a turncoat in it and it looks too big.

I don't feel anything. Just someone that plays for another team.

bornadog
18-03-2023, 02:43 PM
I don't feel anything. Just someone that plays for another team.

Same. Once they leave that's it, I write them off. They are welcome back for the Premiership re-union

EasternWest
18-03-2023, 02:46 PM
Same. Once they leave that's it, I write them off. They are welcome back for the Premiership re-union

There are some I feel some vitriol for but most I don't even put the energy into writing them off. Thanks for your service and I move on.

Stevo
18-03-2023, 02:51 PM
There are some I feel some vitriol for but most I don't even put the energy into writing them off. Thanks for your service and I move on.

I cant be bothered worrying about ex players. They can tell their story walking.

bornadog
18-03-2023, 03:01 PM
There are some I feel some vitriol for but most I don't even put the energy into writing them off. Thanks for your service and I move on.

When I say write off, I mean I don't really worry about them.

G-Mo77
18-03-2023, 05:51 PM
There are some I feel some vitriol for but most I don't even put the energy into writing them off. Thanks for your service and I move on.

I still follow some, depending on how they left. I mean Dunkley I couldn't give a dam about but I'll keep tabs on how Lachie is doing. I clapped Roughie when he played against us, I booed to my my voice was gone when Ryan Griffin played. I still have a bit of ill will towards Nathan Brown. Hahaha.

Topdog
18-03-2023, 07:12 PM
Whatever the circumstances that image still hits like a knife in the guts.

Yep, i loved his father as a kid so this one really hurts

EasternWest
18-03-2023, 07:16 PM
I still follow some, depending on how they left. I mean Dunkley I couldn't give a dam about but I'll keep tabs on how Lachie is doing. I clapped Roughie when he played against us, I booed to my my voice was gone when Ryan Griffin played. I still have a bit of ill will towards Nathan Brown. Hahaha.

Love it.

In recent times Jake Stringer is really the only one I hold mild resentment for. I try not to take any joy in his chronic underachieving and consistent fatness, but a bit of a grin does force it's way out.

Otherwise I don't really give them much thought unless I have actual affection for them like Roughy.

Now with that said watch me go full GrantysGhost on GF night when Hunter kicks the match winner tonight.

Boots
20-03-2023, 09:17 AM
We've got to get a new news article up because currently the landing page for the site (the week after we got smashed by the Dees) is a club hero in dees colours and it's a gut punch every time I log on.

I'd even accept the photo of Pickett punching Macrae as an alternative - at least it'd get my blood up.

angelopetraglia
20-03-2023, 09:27 AM
Disappointing to hear the crowd booing Lachie on Saturday evening. From what we have read it sounds like he was forced out. So why boo him?

Josh Dunkley in a couple of weeks is going to be a different story. I will bot be booing him. But he is going to cop some bad treatment from the Bulldog faithful IMHO.

Grantysghost
20-03-2023, 09:28 AM
Disappointing to hear the crowd booing Lachie on Saturday evening. From what we have read it sounds like he was forced out. So why boo him?

Josh Dunkley in a couple of weeks is going to be a different story. I will bot be booing him. But he is going to cop some bad treatment from the Bulldog faithful IMHO.

Because people are morons?

bornadog
20-03-2023, 09:30 AM
Disappointing to hear the crowd booing Lachie on Saturday evening. From what we have read it sounds like he was forced out. So why boo him?

Josh Dunkley in a couple of weeks is going to be a different story. I will bot be booing him. But he is going to cop some bad treatment from the Bulldog faithful IMHO.


Because people are morons?

All part of the game - no harm done.

EasternWest
20-03-2023, 09:33 AM
All part of the game - no harm done.

Yeah nah it's true. A guy with documented mental health problems would definitely not be affected by booing.

chef
20-03-2023, 09:46 AM
All part of the game - no harm done.

While it is part of the game, it just helps to point out the nuffys.

Ungrateful wankers imo.

bulldogsthru&thru
20-03-2023, 09:57 AM
Both Hunter and Baker got booed.

Moronic. Both were moved on. How dare they continue their career elsewhere.

Boots
20-03-2023, 10:03 AM
Pickett on the other hand - boo him all you want.

bornadog
20-03-2023, 10:08 AM
While it is part of the game, it just helps to point out the nuffys.

Ungrateful wankers imo.

yeah, doesn't worry me at all.

GVGjr
20-03-2023, 10:08 AM
All part of the game - no harm done.

The game and society has evolved and I don't think booing a player unless they did something dirty on the field was ever cool. Have a look at your attack on the 2 weeks suspension of Kossie as being insufficient because it was potentially a harmful action despite Baz jumping straight up. In years gone by that action would be embraced not suspended. Understanding what we have learned about mental health I'm not sure we can play the no harm done card with a lot of confidence.

bornadog
20-03-2023, 10:11 AM
Understanding what we have learned about mental health I'm not sure we can play the no harm done card with a lot of confidence.

Stretching a bit far here.

GVGjr
20-03-2023, 10:21 AM
Stretching a bit far here.

I'm challenging your version of no harm done . You don't see any harm in booing a former player and I'm saying booing was never cool unless something dirty was done on the field. With what we have learned about concussion bumps that were encouraged and praised in past years are issue for us now. Coaches abusing or bullying players has now changed and I do believe booing someone is largely designed to impact the mental state of the target.

chef
20-03-2023, 10:28 AM
Stretching a bit far here.

I think we've seen with guys like Goodes and Watson it does affect the players mental health. Now put yourself in Hunters shoes.

Grantysghost
20-03-2023, 10:32 AM
Stretching a bit far here.

Each player will be affected differently, some will just brush it off and I don't think it's something that should be policed; just hope that education will help people realise it's probably moronic behaviour.

Although I just saw a video of Nazi's in Melbourne on the weekend so I have nfi anymore. One of the most abhorrent things I've seen in my time in this great city.

EasternWest
20-03-2023, 10:34 AM
Although I just saw a video of Nazi's in Melbourne on the weekend so I have nfi anymore. One of the most abhorrent things I've seen in my time in this great city.

Funniest quote I saw on social media "finally we got these morons to mask up".

GVGjr
20-03-2023, 10:37 AM
I think we've seen with guys like Goodes and Watson it does affect the players mental health. Now put yourself in Hunters shoes.

It's a great point you raise. I get that booing has been done for many years but it's a simplistic view that doesn't acknowledge the potential harm and the group type bullying component. Years back Gia's bump on Kosi was praised as why this game was special. Now it would get 8 weeks plus. As we learn more about concussion and MH challenges some of the behaviours and actions of the past might need to be adjusted.
We were all caring and supportive when Baz Smith came forward with his challenges so I don't quite get why now that Hunter is no longer a player for us we should single him out and think it's okay.

bornadog
20-03-2023, 10:41 AM
It's a great point you raise. I get that booing has been done for many years but it's a simplistic view that doesn't acknowledge the potential harm and the group type bullying component. Years back Gia's bump on Kosi was praised as why this game was special. Now it would get 8 weeks plus. As we learn more about concussion and MH challenges some of the behaviours and actions of the past might need to be adjusted.
We were all caring and supportive when Baz Smith came forward with his challenges so I don't quite get why now that Hunter is no longer a player for us we should single him out and think it's okay.

You keep coming up with harming someone with bumping and trying to compare that to booing? Big difference.

I don't boo, and don't care if others do.

There is no evidence that booing effects mental health. (Goodes aside as that was racial)

GVGjr
20-03-2023, 11:40 AM
You keep coming up with harming someone with bumping and trying to compare that to booing? Big difference.

I don't boo, and don't care if others do.

There is no evidence that booing effects mental health. (Goodes aside as that was racial)

Like you I don't boo and I don't really care if others do it but the point I'm trying to make to you is that Hunter has noted MH issues and I think your no harm done comment glosses over that.
I'll leave it there

Grantysghost
20-03-2023, 11:52 AM
All part of the game - no harm done.

That's a confessional post if ever I've read one BAD

You're a booer! Did you whistle at the tennis when they had the Hawkeye!?? :)

bornadog
20-03-2023, 11:58 AM
That's a confessional post if ever I've read one BAD

You're a booer! Did you whistle at the tennis when they had the Hawkeye!?? :)

hahahaha, GG you do make me laugh. Thanks

MrMahatma
20-03-2023, 12:14 PM
I was surprised our fans booed him.

I'm not a huge booer. I guess I'd boo Toby Greene, Sicily, these kinds of pests, particularly if they've done something grubby that match. Apart from that, I'm more about cheering our boys on. I'm sure they hear me from my back deck in Brissie. I threw some colourful language out to the universe on Saturday night - that's for sure.

jazzadogs
20-03-2023, 05:22 PM
Didn't boo Hunter, did boo Pickett, considering booing Dunkley but think I'll feel bad.

josie
20-03-2023, 05:46 PM
I think the only one I booed was Griff and I must say I felt so dirty so I didn’t keep it up. I think I’ll be saying boo under my breath but not out loud with Dunkley. It depends on how they left us whether I feel ill tempered with them.

Jasper
20-03-2023, 05:52 PM
I think the only one I booed was Griff and I must say I felt so dirty so I didn’t keep it up. I think I’ll be saying boo under my breath but not out loud with Dunkley. It depends on how they left us whether I feel ill tempered with them.

You win a flag with us and a best and fairest and we know about the heartaches Lachie endured over the last 2 years. It seemed to be over the top response to boo him but it wont change any time soon. Its not like he is the Iron Sheik.

bornadog
20-03-2023, 07:34 PM
You win a flag with us and a best and fairest and we know about the heartaches Lachie endured over the last 2 years. It seemed to be over the top response to boo him but it wont change any time soon. It’s not like he is the Iron Sheik.
wait till Dunkley shows up

G-Mo77
20-03-2023, 07:44 PM
Both Hunter and Baker got booed.

Moronic. Both were moved on. How dare they continue their career elsewhere.

I heard Baker being booed? Why? He was delisted?

G-Mo77
20-03-2023, 07:45 PM
I think the only one I booed was Griff and I must say I felt so dirty so I didn’t keep it up. I think I’ll be saying boo under my breath but not out loud with Dunkley. It depends on how they left us whether I feel ill tempered with them.

I lost my voice in his first game back. I won't get a chance to boo Dunks as it's a Thursday night, doubt I would anyway. I was more relieved his travelling circus left in the end.

MrMahatma
21-03-2023, 12:28 AM
I heard Baker being booed? Why? He was delisted?

Felt like it was a piss take by Dees fans cause Dogs fans booed Hunter.

SonofScray
21-03-2023, 10:48 AM
Was surprised by the booing of Hunter.

Unnecessary.


Dunkley can get booed though. I'd be looking to cause him emotional damage, as a fan.

Stevo
21-03-2023, 11:02 AM
Yeah nah it's true. A guy with documented mental health problems would definitely not be affected by booing.

Wasnt booing was supposed to be a response for a thugish act on the field? Now its become a protest movement. I wonder if people would do it up close and without others?

The Bulldogs Bite
21-03-2023, 11:55 AM
Was surprised by the booing of Hunter.

Unnecessary.


Dunkley can get booed though. I'd be looking to cause him emotional damage, as a fan.

Yeah, the Hunter situation was a sad one but it looked to be a decision best for both parties. No ill will with Lachie and I was surprised by the booing. He'll be welcome back any time post footy.

Dunkley on the other hand.... I'll be warming my vocals.