Brisbane forward Will McLachlan on debut game, draft snubs and whirlwind 12 months

Will McLachlan was staking his claim for the mid-season draft 12 months ago. Last week, he made his AFL debut for the reigning premiers. The Falcons export reflects on his whirlwind year and the setbacks that helped him get there.

This time last year, Will McLachlan was beginning to stake his claim for the mid-season draft with the Geelong Falcons as a returning 19-year-old.

Last weekend, the 185 centimetre forward helped the AFL reigning premiers pull off a come-from-behind win over West Coast with two goals on debut at the Gabba.

McLachlan made way for Lions livewires Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann this week, but that doesn’t take anything away from his whirlwind past 12 months.

The Colac product was taken with pick six by Brisbane in the 2024 mid-season draft after he bagged 26 goals in just six games for the Falcons.

He went on to slot another 24 majors in 13 matches for Brisbane’s VFL side in the back-end of the year to earn himself a one-year contract extension until the end of 2026.

However, the previous two years of setbacks were just as important in getting McLachlan to this position, with his debut just reward for his hard work.

Will McLachlan made his debut for Brisbane last week. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McLachlan cops a Gatorade shower from teammate Cam Rayner. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It feels like it is so long ago that I was actually playing for Falcons but it’s funny how things can change that quickly,” McLachlan told this masthead.

“If you had’ve told me 12 months ago that I would be on a list and playing my first game in 12 month’s time, then I probably would have told you were dreaming.

“To think where I came from and obviously missing out bottom-age Falcons and getting another opportunity in my over-age year and making it happen in that short period of time, it was pretty amazing.

“Obviously a lifelong dream come true, so to finally run out there with such a good side like Brisbane, it was pretty surreal.”

McLachlan initially missed out on the Geelong Falcons squad in 2022 as a bottom-ager, managing to break in for three games that year.

Then he was overlooked in his draft year of 2023, where he was never really on the radar until an impressive finals series that gave him some belief that the work was paying off.

Even in local footy a couple of calls didn’t go his way at Colac.

These crossroads can make or break a draft hopeful. For McLachlan, it lit a fire within him to do whatever he could to achieve his AFL dream.

Mclachlan in action for the Falcons last year. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

McLachlan (right) competes for the footy for Colac in 2022. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I don’t think that was a terrible thing for me, I think it did make me realise how much I actually did want to make it and did want to be playing AFL,” McLachlan said.

“Because once I sort of missed out, it made life suck a little bit, realising that maybe my life isn’t going in the direction I wish it was.

“So I just tried to change it in a way that I could by keep on working hard and keep in a good mindset, I think that is what probably changed in my performance at least. How I turned around missing out on selection to performing pretty well week in, week out.”

McLachlan’s family, who made the trip up to Brisbane for his debut along with a handful of his best mates, and Falcons and Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan helped him through those tough moments.

“I think probably just my family is the main one, they were so supportive through it all – whether it was good times or bad times,” McLachlan said.

“Paul Corrigan in my top-age year and over-age year, he was really good for me. They were the kind of people that made it all easy for me.”

McLachlan celebrates with his family after the win. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Will McLachlan is presented with his jumper alongside friends and family. Photo: Brisbane Lions.

COUNTRY ROAD, DON’T TAKE ME HOME

The star that has the Lions fans singing ‘Country Road’ each home game has led a path for the country boy since he joined Brisbane.

Charlie Cameron, who replaced McLachlan in the side for their clash with Geelong, goes the extra mile for all the Lion cubs.

And McLachlan has been among those to benefit from his teachings.

“Charlie Cameron has been one for me who has really taken me under his wing a bit and looked after me,” McLachlan said.

“We know how good of a player he is and it would be good to follow a little bit in his footsteps, but he is definitely one I have looked up to and taken a lot from. He has been really good to me.”

And McLachlan picked a classic goal song of his own for the fans at the Gabba – ‘Waiting for Tonight’ by Jennifer Lopez.

“I don’t know what really made me decide that one, I don’t know it was just a song I liked at the time,” McLachlan chuckled.

But he didn’t pull out the motorbike celebration for his first goal, a crafty snap after gathering a loose ball off the deck.

Will McLachlan’s firsr goal. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

And the celebration. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“My celebration, I don’t even know what happened. I just got a bit excited and I think we were a fair way back at that time, so I didn’t want to get too carried away,” McLachlan said.

“It was a pretty surreal feeling once it went through the big sticks.”

McLachlan’s current deal doesn’t run out until the end of 2026 but he is keen to stay in Brisbane long-term.

He is living with Lions player Noah Answerth and loves life in the sunshine state, a stark contrast to those cold winters in Colac.

“I’ve loved every minute up here, I think it is probably somewhere – even after footy – I’ll continue to live here. I just love the lifestyle and the weather,” McLachlan said.

HOPE FOR A MATE

McLachlan’s former Falcons and Colac teammate Tobyn Murray was among the draft hopefuls to complete medical testing ahead of the mid-season draft.

But injury struck for the young forward weeks before the draft.

Tobyn Murray was on the mid-season radar last season. Picture: Mark Wilson

Murray made an eye-catching start to the VFL season with three goals for Geelong against Sandringham on Sunday.

McLachlan is hopeful Murray can become the next Colac Tiger in the AFL ranks.

“I think he has obviously shown at the beginning of this year what he is capable of and I hope he gets onto a list one day,” McLachlan said.

“He has definitely got the characteristics and the strengths to make it there. But he’s always been a really strong, consistent footballer and I really hope he can get there too one day.”

Originally published as Brisbane forward Will McLachlan on debut game, draft snubs and whirlwind 12 months