The SANFL’s ‘speccy’ king ready to light up finals

Tigers high-flyer Lachie Hosie is ready for lift-off as Glenelg begins its SANFL finals campaign against the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, writes Andrew Capel.

Lachie Hosie loves to fly.

In an era where the “speccy’’ is a dying art, the Glenelg high-flyer is a throwback to the past.

For him, it’s a case of ‘see ball, get ball’.

“I love flying through the air, crashing packs and taking hangers,’’ Hosie said as he prepared for Sunday’s SANFL second semi-final against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

When the footy’s airborne in his area, the spring-heeled forward launches at it like a gazelle.

“I’ve always been a marking forward, so it’s one of my strengths and something I’ve always loved to do,’’ said Hosie, who won this year’s Ken Farmer Medal as the SANFL’s leading minor round goalkicker.

“If I see an opportunity to create an aerial contest I’ll go for it. Sometimes you get your timing right, it comes off and looks really good and sometimes it doesn’t look so great.

“But I like to take at least one big mark every week because it’s exciting and people like that part of footy.

“You always dream of taking that massive mark.’’

Glenelg’s Lachie Hosie alongside the Ken Farmer Statue at Adelaide Oval after claiming his first Ken Farmer Medal as SANFL leading minor round goalkicker. Picture: Emma Brasier

Hosie, 26, did just that against Central District at the Bay in Round 11.

Taking a spectacular grab reminiscent of another former Glenelg high-flyer, club legend Graham Cornes, Hosie jumped on the head of Bulldog Ryan Pickering on the grandstand wing to haul in what will surely be the SANFL mark of the year.

“That’s the best mark I’ve ever taken,’’ the 189cm excitement machine said.

“It felt great and in the video you can see I turned to the crowd, which was up and about (and chanting ‘Hose-a-lenko’ in reference to former high-leaping Carlton star Alex Jesaulenko), and gave a little smile.’’

A football entertainer who wears his heart on his sleeve, Hosie grew up as a self-confessed “mad’’ Port Adelaide supporter.

He idolised champion Port centre half-forward Warren Tredrea, wearing the No. 16 guernsey to Power games.

But while Hosie – a Henley and Woodville-West Torrens junior who joined Glenelg at 18 – loves taking a screamer, he is no longer a one-trick pony and has learned to become a more well-rounded player.

Lachie Hosie takes a screamer for Glenelg against Norwood at The Parade in Round 12. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Tiger Lachie Hosie marks strongly against the Crows. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL

He was sat down by former Tigers coach Mark Stone prior to the 2019 season and told he needed to become more than just a mark and kick player who would get only six or seven disposals a game.

“Stoney said I needed to get more involved and get around 15 touches a game if I was going to cement my spot in the league side,’’ Hosie said.

“So I shifted my focus from just being a goalkicker to someone who could get up and down the ground and bring other players into the game as well.

“I’ve continued to do that, creating more contests all the way up to the wing, which has been pleasing.

“While marking comes naturally to me I’ve taken a close look at what some smaller forwards have done at ground level over the years, (Port’s) Robbie Gray and (GWS’s) Toby Greene, and tried to implement that into my game.

“That’s enabled me to be more consistent and have a bigger impact on games, which is what I have prided myself on this year.

“To win the goalkicking has been a bonus, although it's a nice box to tick – and a bit of a pinch-yourself moment – because you pride yourself on being one of the top forwards in the competition.’’

Lachie Hosie juggles a one-handed mark against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval in Round 15. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Hosie, who has represented South Australia twice, kicked a career-best 52 goals this year to beat teammate and triple Ken Farmer Medallist Liam McBean by nine.

Sturt’s Josh Hone was third with 41 ahead of another Tiger, Luke Reynolds, who booted 37, along with Crow Lachlan Gollant.

Glenelg’s history is littered with star goalkickers, including club greats, 1969 Magarey Medallist Fred Phillis, Jack Owens and Colin Churchett, and its 2023 three-headed forward line monster looms large for its finals rivals.

Having missed out on the Tigers’ last flag in 2019 after he was drafted by North Melbourne in the mid-season draft, playing five AFL games in two seasons for the Roos, and then being a member of Glenelg’s losing 2021 grand final team, Hosie is desperate to stand on the premiership dais this season.

“I think about it every day, to be honest,’’ he said.

“You have to live in the moment and that’s what we’ll be doing in the finals but you play the game to win premierships, so that is definitely fuelling me.’’