WOOF welcomes Lachlan Smith to the Kennel

[GVGjr]

I really like this pick. A ruckman

[hujsh]

STRENGTHS:
+ Aggression
+ Production
+ Ruck craft
+ Strength
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Kick consistency
- Speed

Gippsland Power has had a knack of developing key position options over the last couple of years, and following in Max Knobel's shoes comes Lachlan Smith. Though he is not the quickest player going around, the readymade 202cm and 101kg ruck is strong and clever at the stoppages. His ruck craft is one of his strengths, often getting first hands to it, and his form for the Power was then put to the test against the best in the Country at the Under 18 National Championships.

He averaged 2.7 clearances to go with his 18.7 hitouts, and while he is not a huge accumulator, can still get involved between the arcs. An aggressive ruck who is not afraid to throw his weight around or carry the ball, Smith is a player who could still tidy up some execution areas such as kicking and decision making, but what he does well is in his primary ruck position which is what clubs will look at for the future. Look for him to be a late or rookie chance.

[bornadog]

Welcome Lachlan

Height: 202cm

Weight: 101kg

D.O.B: 05-10-2005

[KT31]

Nice and from our old recruiting paddock.

[GVGjr]

He reminds me a bit of the way Jordon Sweet plays. He is very physical in his approach.

[Testekill]

Not the type of ruck that Bevo favors but we've got Darcy developing as that more mobile ruck so might as well grab the physical bash & crash ruck as well.

[Testekill]

Also are we sure he's 18? He looks like he's 27 with two kids and a mortgage.

[josie]

Welcome Lachlan. Look forward to seeing you in our VFL side.

What’s his nickname going to be?

[Testekill]

Welcome Lachlan. Look forward to seeing you in our VFL side.

What’s his nickname going to be?

Slab.

[Eastdog]

Welcome to the Dogs Lachlan!

[GVGjr]

Also are we sure he's 18? He looks like he's 27 with two kids and a mortgage.

Dad? Kieran Collins has final been replaced. :)

[Grantysghost]

Welcome Lachlan. Look forward to seeing you in our VFL side.

What’s his nickname going to be?

Sour

[choconmientay]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467839/2023-afl-draft-pick-47-lachlan-smith

[Mofra]

Bob Murphy territory

Happy with that

[Testekill]

Bob Murphy territory

Happy with that

Barry Round territory as well.

[josie]

Gee he does look older than 18.

Quite like Slab. Lachlan has visibly hairy legs - perhaps there’s a nickname in that.

[GVGjr]

Bob Murphy territory

Happy with that

We've covered Gippsland and Horsham tonight. A lot of reach.

[Happy Days]

This guy is a horse. Great pick (never seen him play).

[Grantysghost]

This guy is a horse. Great pick (never seen him play).

Me either but he sounds Irish.

So I'm expecting Jim Stynes crossed with Zac Touhey with a touch of Tagh (sic?) Kennely

Also this is the wrong player so I've completely gone nuts.

[jazzadogs]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467839/2023-afl-draft-pick-47-lachlan-smith

This highlights package looks fantastic! Great agility!

[DOG GOD]

Has a bit of Witts about him.

[hujsh]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467839/2023-afl-draft-pick-47-lachlan-smith
Jesus! Send English forward if that?s what he?s capable of at AFL

[bulldogsthru&thru]

This highlights package looks fantastic! Great agility!

I know the basketball background gets thrown around a lot in jest but it will help him a lot being a ruckman. He'd have to have some sort of agility and it does typically give you better awareness and reading of plays. Don't think this kid is going to be a stereotypical dumb immobile ruckman.

[Testekill]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467839/2023-afl-draft-pick-47-lachlan-smith

Reads the ball pretty well, gets to good positions at throw ins. More mobile then you'd think as well which is really nice.

[azabob]

Has a bit of Witts about him.

I saw a bit of Gawn (vomit) but yeah Witts also.

[Sedat]

Pretty astute pick with English on the free agency radar next year. Outside of Lobb, our list is exposed for genuine ruckman if we lost English in 12 months time. Darcy and Croft are not real ruck depth.

[josie]

Let’s hope the highlights package is an indication he can mark reasonably well. I liked Sweet but felt one of his weaknesses was hard hands/not a reliable mark considering his height.

[Dry Rot]

Any highlights?

[Axe Man]

Great to welcome our first Warragul boy since Bob Murphy.

[GVGjr]

Any highlights?

Check the thread for the link

[Testekill]

https://youtu.be/cTAknMlnJnI?si=8laG5WucDSqXLoNv


RookieMe highlights as well

[kruder]

Smith thinks he is the Bont when the ball hits the ground! Now that's a highlight package I'm sold :) If he isn't a better player than Sweet I'll eat my hat.

[hujsh]

His legs are very hairy. I like him

[Sedat]

His legs are very hairy. I like him
Haven't seen that since Loinchop was running around. Hopefully he doesn't root his best mates wife in the future.

[Twodogs]

Welcome Lachlan. Look forward to seeing you in our VFL side.

What?s his nickname going to be?

It's got to be Smithy, surely?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

It's got to be Smithy, surely?

Something a little less original.

Maybe Lachy?

[GVGjr]

It's got to be Smithy, surely?

Drop and give us 20 :) Bevo aint accepting that

[MrMahatma]

Something a little less original.

Maybe Lachy?

Bubba

[macca]

Let?s hope the highlights package is an indication he can mark reasonably well. I liked Sweet but felt one of his weaknesses was hard hands/not a reliable mark considering his height.

Great point. A good ruck that can mark provides a get out of backhalf card with the kickout.
McInerny does provide that
Mike Pyke was a good mark ,, even Roughead provided an option

We just need to make sure we develop him as a modern ruck

[Dry Rot]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467839/2023-afl-draft-pick-47-lachlan-smith

Already looks like a better tap ruckman than English.

[bulldogtragic]

Bubba

I think that invokes upset at the club now. Maybe steer clear… :D

[Curly5]

He reminds me a bit of the way Jordon Sweet plays. He is very physical in his approach.

Hope he doesn't get suspended for 3 weeks after his first game like Jordon did :)

How did he slip to 47? No one else needed a ruckman?

[EasternWest]

Something a little less original.

Maybe Lachy?

The Key.

LachSmith.

[azabob]

Hope he doesn't get suspended for 3 weeks after his first game like Jordon did :)

How did he slip to 47? No one else needed a ruckman?

Have a look through other clubs selections quite a few ruckman were taken prior to him.

[bornadog]

Already looks like a better tap ruckman than English.

Of course this is a joke

[Mantis]

The last bit of play in the highlights package on the club's website (where he maneuvers through traffic) is seriously impressive for a player of his size.

Looks like there is a bit to work with and I look forward to watching him develop.

[Testekill]

Hope he doesn't get suspended for 3 weeks after his first game like Jordon did :)

How did he slip to 47? No one else needed a ruckman?

Nah we gotta keep up the tradition. Minson got suspended in his first AFL game, Sweet in his first VFL game.

[josie]

The Key.

LachSmith.

Love it

[ledge]

I’ve already heard him called dad, looks like he is 30 already.
We need another dad.

[Mofra]

Love the suggestion of "Step-Dad" as his nickname

[hujsh]

Love the suggestion of "Step-Dad" as his nickname

Be careful you don't get stuck anywhere though

[hujsh]

Recuriters talking about Smith (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1468277/recruiters-discuss-lachlan-smith?videoId=1468277&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1700696091001)

Geez he sounds a nice prospect. He sounds very different to English but not the kind of 'useless outside ruck contests' ruckman we assume Bevo hates. Don't know where in the team he fits in in 2-3 years time but if English leaves it's good to know there's someone with potential in the background

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Really liked what I heard about the key.

Loves physical contact and is super aggressive. He sounds like a great prospect. He'd be the perfect partner for English but we may never see it.

[lemmon]

Recuriters talking about Smith (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1468277/recruiters-discuss-lachlan-smith?videoId=1468277&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1700696091001)

Geez he sounds a nice prospect. He sounds very different to English but not the kind of 'useless outside ruck contests' ruckman we assume Bevo hates. Don't know where in the team he fits in in 2-3 years time but if English leaves it's good to know there's someone with potential in the background

These videos are terrific, imagine how good it'd be seeing some of the thoughts on guys that didn't slip to our picks as well.

Sounds like they've really targeted someone willing to bash and crash. Interesting they've called out his aggressive streak and that he'll go stick up for teammates - maybe feeling like we've been a little too meek in there.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

These videos are terrific, imagine how good it'd be seeing some of the thoughts on guys that didn't slip to our picks as well.

Sounds like they've really targeted someone willing to bash and crash. Interesting they've called out his aggressive streak and that he'll go stick up for teammates - maybe feeling like we've been a little too meek in there.

We're pathetic in this area. We're way too meek and mild. The list has reeked of staleness and almost complacency. I feel like this draft and list cuts have rejuvenated it somewhat.

We desperately need some legitimate, healthy competition coming through and I feel we've started that off nicely this draft.

[Happy Days]

The celebration on that first goal is A1

[josie]

I’ve already heard him called dad, looks like he is 30 already.
We need another dad.

Combining my two fave suggestions I now have earworm of Daddy Cool (interestingly not written by Ross Wilson/Daddy Cool), to lyrics “Daddy Keys”. Sad but true.

[hujsh]

Making sure it's all above board.https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_p4K2TbAAAUuaS?format=jpg&name=medium

[EasternWest]

Making sure it's all above board.https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_p4K2TbAAAUuaS?format=jpg&name=medium

That's hilarious

[Smads57]

Great interaction/bonding opportunity for 3 of the recruits.

[StevieG]

Nice stats for a ruckman. Hovering around 20 possessions per game.

[Sedat]

Pleasing to hear that both Smith and Croft in particular have the red mist when they cross the white line - I love that we have identified this as an obvious deficiency in our list and are putting steps in place to rectify.

We should have started this process immediately after the 2019 EF when GWS completely ambushed us physically (and quite rightly so). Sure GWS crossed the line a few times that day, but we should never have accepted being physically intimidated ever again by any opponent after that day - we are slow learners but we have eventually learnt nonetheless.

[doggiesin08]

Huge number of rucks picked up in the ND this year. Will be interesting how they each develop but few will have the opportunity to slot right in as number 1 ruck even at VFL level like Smith will.

[bornadog]

Huge number of rucks picked up in the ND this year. Will be interesting how they each develop but few will have the opportunity to slot right in as number 1 ruck even at VFL level like Smith will.

I think alot of new rucks were needed as the old brigade starts to age throughout the AFL.

[GVGjr]

Huge number of rucks picked up in the ND this year. Will be interesting how they each develop but few will have the opportunity to slot right in as number 1 ruck even at VFL level like Smith will.

It's a long term investment and the decision for clubs is around if it's a draft and develop investment or do you settle for an older and experienced player delisted from other clubs.

Finding the right balance is so important.

[Willofwest]

Smith looks capable of holding down VFL no1 ruck spot. Hopefully he can grow into an AFL capable no1 ruck

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Looks/sounds confident which is a trait you need as a big guy.