AFL fans in disbelief at Bulldogs coach’s mind games in season opener

The AFL season has barely started and a coach might have just played the most insane selection mind games we have ever seen.

Lachie Hunter was at the centre of one of the all-time selection mind games.

AFL fans had every reason to feel a bit perplexed ahead of the season opener thanks to the antics of Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

The AFL season kicks off tonight at the MCG with the grand final rematch between the Bulldogs and last year’s premiers Melbourne.

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And Beveridge left fans guessing right until the last minute about whether midfielder Lachie Hunter, a regular in the Dogs line-up and a premiership player, would play.

Foxsports.com.au reported earlier this week Hunter had been dropped because of his form, but Beveridge hit back at those claims and named Hunter in the starting 22.

But the Bulldogs threw a spanner in the works just an hour before the first bounce on Wednesday night when Hunter was surprisingly booted from the starting team and named as the medical substitute.

Lachie Hunter was out, then in, then out, then in again. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

But Beveridge wasn’t done yet. Just 15 minutes before kick-off, Hunter was then named in the starting 22 again after Jason Johannisen picked up leg soreness in the warm up.

If we haven’t lost you, Hunter was reportedly out of the team, in the team, the medical substitute and then included in the final line-up. Talk about a rollercoaster 24 hours.

Hunter accompanied fellow midfielders Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae out of the MCG tunnel with a wry smile on his face, which was understandable given his topsy-turvy build-up.

AFL pundits could only shake their head at Hunter’s selection saga and were convinced Beveridge was playing mind games with fans, the media, and possibly even Hunter.

Seven News’ Ryan Daniels tweeted: "Spectacular theatrics from Bevo. I’m still confused. Lachie Hunter first goal?”

We all just got played by Luke Beveridge. Photo: Michael Klein

AFL reporter Riley Beveridge summed it up: “We’ve been Bevo’d.”

AAP’s Oliver Caffrey said: “Bevo, the Jedi mind master.”

Sports journalist Daniel Cherny added: “Viva la Bevolucion”.

Lachie Hunter walking into the Dogs starting 22 #AFLDeesDogspic.twitter.com/SOEk9Y2Mfk

— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) March 16, 2022

It never ends! https://t.co/tK0qwmCMrf

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) March 16, 2022

"JJ. It's Bevo. Your leg hurts, right?"

— Max Laughton (@maxlaughton) March 16, 2022

Stefan Martin was also a late withdrawal, with Hayden Crozier and Ryan Gardner ultimately replacing Johannisen and Martin in the Bulldogs’ line-up.

Jake Lever was a late out with a foot injury for the Demons and was replaced by Adam Tomlinson in his first game back after rupturing his ACL.