Lachlan Wilson, 17, awarded best-on-ground in Northern Football League grand final

HEIDELBERG’S Lachlan Wilson is hoping his best-on-ground honours in the Northern Football League grand final will spark the interest of AFL recruiters.

Lachlan Wilson gets a kick away while playing for Northern Knights against Oakleigh Chargers earlier this year. Picture: David Crosling

LACHLAN Wilson could yet prove to be Caleb Daniel 2.0.

The 17-year-old midfielder was named best-on-ground in Heidelberg’s upset 16-point grand final win over Macleod on Saturday.

In just his fourth game for the Tigers this year, Wilson, who is listed at 170cm and 68kg, showed poise beyond his years in the Northern Football League’s biggest game of the year.

Wilson said he was hoping his best-on-ground honours would spark some interest from AFL recruiters.

“I haven’t had any clubs speak to me yet but I’ll just keep going,” Wilson said.

“Playing in a senior grand final, hopefully that will spark some interest from clubs to look at me or give me a chance.

“I want to try get as far as I can in footy, whether that is VFL or AFL.”

Lachlan Wilson lunges for the ball against Oakleigh Chargers earlier this year. Picture: David Crosling

After missing out on selection on the Northern Knights’ list since the under-14s, Wilson’s persistence paid off this year when he earned a spot with the TAC Cup club.

He played nine games and was named among the Knights’ best players in five games, also playing in back-to-back premierships with Marcellin College in school footy.

While his height may deter some scouts, Heidelberg coach Charles Gaylard said Wilson had the attributes to take his footy further.

“He has got a tremendous work ethic and obviously he got rewarded for that on Saturday,” Gaylard said.

“He is a really tough kid, he is not afraid to go and get the footy himself.

“Probably a lot of people would say that his height is an issue but you can see with Caleb Daniel, who I think is one of the Western Bulldogs’ best players now, that it can be done.

“It would be fantastic if he got drafted and it would be an outstanding achievement.”