AFL: Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter resumes training after taking two months off to focus on ‘personal issues’

Lachie Hunter trained with his Western Bulldogs teammates for the first time in two months and his playing return is imminent.

Lachie Hunter is back training at the Western Bulldogs and could resume playing next week. Picture: Getty Images

Western Bulldogs winger Lachie Hunter could be back playing in the VFL straight after the club’s mid-season bye after returning to training on Wednesday.

Hunter was away from the club for two months after he and club officials agreed he should take indefinite leave to focus on some “personal issues”.

The 27-year-old, who has played 168 games since being a father-son selection a decade ago, also had a break from football while the Bulldogs were in the Queensland quarantine hub in mid-2020.

It’s understood Hunter is in great physical and mental shape and did plenty of running on his own to maintain his fitness before rejoining the main training group this week.

Luke Beveridge’s Dogs will train once more this week before the players get the Queen’s Birthday weekend off, with a final decision on Hunter’s playing status to be made next week.

Lachie Hunter, pictured in last year’s grand final, could be back playing by next week. Picture: Michael Klein

Their VFL side, Footscray, plays against Carlton’s reserves at Ikon Park on Friday night next week.

It’s unclear how long Hunter will need to remain at second-tier level before being ready for senior selection.

The Bulldogs lost to Geelong last week but had won four of their previous five games and are rounding into form.

Hunter averaged 20 disposals, six score involvements and three inside 50s across the first five rounds of the season before going on personal leave.

Speaking at the time, the Bulldogs’ head of football Chris Grant said Hunter had dealt with personal issues “for a period of time”.

Lachie Hunter’s imminent return will be a handy mid-season boost for the Dogs. Picture: Michael Klein

“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,” Grant said.

“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.”

Hunter played in the Dogs’ drought-busting 2016 premiership and last year’s grand final loss to Melbourne in Perth.