Playing with a broken hand earned Western Bulldog star Lachie Hunter high praise from teammates

Lachie Hunter didn’t tell anyone he had a broken hand until after he played out the Western Bulldogs win over Carlton which earned his praise.

Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce has put an ugly 2020 behind him to star in 2021 (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter is a legitimate chance to take on Port Adelaide on Saturday after his heroics last Sunday were labelled “one of the toughest things I’ve seen” by teammate Josh Bruce.

Hunter played out last week’s stunning come-from-behind win over Carlton with a broken hand, refusing to tell teammates he was hurt until after the final siren.

Bruce, who kicked five goals against the Blues to take his season tally to 25 as he continued to rediscover his best form, said what Hunter did was “incredible”.

“One of the toughest things I’ve seen to be able to play through with a broken hand,” Bruce said on Wednesday.

“And actually have a really strong influence in a physical sense as well, he was laying tackles and putting pressure on and kicking clutch goals with a broken hand.

“It‘s pretty incredible. He told me after the game (his hand was broken) as we were walking off. You wouldn’t have known otherwise.”

Hunter had surgery on Monday to insert a plate in his hand, after playing with the injury in the second half of Sunday’s win.

Bulldogs head of sports medicine, Chris Bell, said Hunter could yet play in a top-of-the-table clash with Port on Saturday night.

“In the third quarter, Lachie was involved in a contest where he broke a small bone in his hand,” Bell said.

“This injury did require surgery to stabilise the fracture.

“Lachie has come in well (on Tuesday) and we’ll determine his availability over the coming days.”

Lachie Hunter having surgery on broken hand. Club hoping plate will fast track return. @7AFL

— Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) May 10, 2021

Lachie Hunter back running a day after hand surgery. ⁦@westernbulldogs⁩ still hopeful he could face Port Adelaide. More on ⁦@10NewsFirstMelb⁩ pic.twitter.com/gtu3M9p5MU

— Tim Morgan (@Timmy_Morgs) May 11, 2021

Bruce, who endured a horror 2020 and admitted he battled with life in a Queensland hub, is third in the Coleman Medal race.

The 28-year-old said he was starting to better understand how to play with his teammates in his second season with the Bulldogs after making the move from St Kilda.

“Coming over from the Saints and not being accustomed to the way we played and then moving to Queensland...I found it extremely challenging at times last year,” Bruce said.

“Now I’ve had that continuity with the group, I’m starting to jell a little bit better and understand the way they want me to play.”

Bruce could also be required in the ruck against Port with number one big man Tim English still battling the effects of a concussion sustained in Round 6.

“Tim still had some very low-level, persistent headaches last week. We don’t want to take any risks with Tim,” Bell said.

“He’ll continue to work closely with our doctors to determine his availability for this weekend’s game.

Fellow ruckman Stefan Martin is expected to miss up to four weeks with an achilles issue.