AFL news 2022: Western Bulldogs limited in help able to be provided to Lachie Hunter

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has admitted the AFL’s soft cap restrictions are limiting the amount of support the can be provided to Lachie Hunter.

Lachie Hunter has taken indefinite leave from the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs have not put a timeline on Lachie Hunter’s return from personal leave but coach Luke Beveridge is confident the AFL hasn’t seen the last of the premiership player.

On Tuesday, the Bulldogs announced Hunter would take indefinite leave from the club to “work through some individual challenges, which have affected his health and wellbeing”.

Beveridge said he personally did not think the former Bulldogs vice-captain would be lost to the game.

“I don’t have that concern; I believe that Lachie’s going to be okay and I believe we’ll have him back before the end of the year,” said Beveridge.

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Lachie Hunter has been granted leave by the Bulldogs. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Hunter is in consultation with the club’s psychologist and doctor but Beveridge admitted cuts to the soft cap had limited the amount of support that could be provided.

“I suppose it’s an example of where the constraints around footy budgets doesn’t help the club do enough in that space. Whether or not there’s some externals that can help … we’re working through that with our psych and our doctor,” he said.

“(Budget cuts) are a peripheral thing to Lachie’s situation.”

Beveridge said he had yet to determine who would replace Hunter on the wing for this Saturday’s clash with Adelaide in Ballarat.

“It’s a little bit uncertain,” he said.

“With Lachie going out, there are a number of lads who’ve been playing and training in that area, so it’ll definitely create opportunity. Lachie McNeil has been playing a bit of wing forward, so he’s an obvious candidate.”

Luke Beveridge has not yet determined who will play in place of Hunter. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Arthur Jones and Charlie Parker could earn their AFL debuts replacing Hunter, while Louis Butler is another option.

Beveridge said he would favour experience in determining who would come into the side, however.

Hunter played in all of the Bulldogs’ first give games of the season and previously missed four games of the 2020 season through personal leave.

Beveridge said he had faith in Hunter’s ability to get back on top of his situation.

“He knows that in the immediate future, he’s got to work through a few things,” said Beveridge.

“Hopefully, whether it’s in a month or two months or whatever it may be, we have him back and he’s able to play some footy before the end of the year.

“I believe he’s going to be okay.”

PREMIERSHIP DOG TAKES INDEFINITE LEAVE FROM KENNEL

Western Bulldogs premiership midfielder Lachie Hunter has taken a leave of absence from the club while he deals with “personal issues.”

The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday night the 27-year-old former vice-captain would step away from the club “indefinitely.”

The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday night the 27-year-old former vice-captain would step away from the club “indefinitely.”

Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli said Hunter and the club made a mutual decision to take some time off.

“It’s obviously unfortunate with Lachie and the position at the minute is he and the club have decided together that it might be a good time for him to step away for a little bit just to prioritise his health and wellbeing,” he said on Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“It’s been a bit of a journey for Lach the last couple of years, so the priority in these situations is always the health and wellbeing of the individual.

“It’s a warmth and care mentality and ideal from us as a club and me as a skipper to be able to support every one of our players and our people.”

Lachie Hunter has taken indefinite leave from the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Hunter was hit with a four-game ban by the club in 2020 and fined $1000 by authorities after he pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to provide his details after a crash that damaged four cars in Albert Park.

This is the second time Hunter has taken a break from the club due to personal reasons, with the first time being in 2020 not long after serving his suspension.

Bulldogs football boss Chris Grant said Hunter – who has played 167 games for the club – would be fully supported by the club during his time away.

“Lachie has been dealing with some personal issues for a period of time,” he said in a statement.

“After some recent internal discussions, it has been determined and agreed with Lachie that the best course of action is for him to spend some time away from the club while he addresses his personal issues.”

“We will continue to support Lachie during his leave of absence, with his personal wellbeing the sole focus for everyone in the immediate term.

“During this period of absence from the football program Lachie will not play at either AFL or VFL level.

“We expect that Lachie’s privacy will be respected during this period.”