Former North Launceston dual premiership star had to go the long way into the AFL but is making up for lost time

Jay Lockhart hasn’t taken long to find his feet at AFL level after being forced to wait for his opportunity, while another Tasmanian made his long awaited comeback after nearly two years on the sidelines

AFL Round 14. 22/06/2019. Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG. Melbourne's Jay Lockhart breaks from the stoppage 1st quarter. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN

LAST season it was Brody Mihocek and this year JAY LOCKHART is fast becoming one of the feel good stories of the AFL as he establishes himself in the AFL system.

Much like Collingwood forward Mihocek — who went from packing boxes and driving forklifts to playing in a grand final — Lockhart was unpacking shipping containers 12 months ago while starring for Casey in the VFL.

The two-time TSL premiership defender with North Launceston was overlooked for last year’s draft, but suddenly found himself on an AFL list in March when Melbourne signed the 23-year-old as a rookie to complete its squad.

He made his debut in round two and after overcoming a knee complaint which saw him sidelined in rounds 11 and 12, returned for the clash against Fremantle on Saturday to produce his best performance for the Demons.

Lockhart gathered a career high 21 disposals and booted 2.2 as Melbourne overran the Dockers in the last quarter, while he was also in the thick of a dust-up late in the third quarter when Fremantle star Michael Walters was reported for headbutting him.

Jay Lockhart of the Demons and Michael Walters of the Dockers clash during the 2019 AFL round 14 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Fremantle Dockers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Forgotten Hawk GRANT BIRCHALL made a successful return to the VFL after two injury plagued years.

The four time premiership defender had not played for 720 days following ongoing knee problems and calf issues, but emerged unscathed from restricted minutes as Box Hill easily accounted for Sandringham.

Birchall had 10 touches in his customary role across halfback, using the ball well before sitting out the second half as the club carefully manages his workload with the aim of getting him back into the senior side in the coming weeks.

Grant Birchall of Box Hill played the first half but did not return in the second during the VFL match between Box Hill and Sandringham played at Box Hill on Saturday 22nd June, 2019.

Essendon ruckman TOM BELLCHAMBERS is lighter in the hip pocket but has avoided suspension for a high bump in his side’s loss to West Coast on Thursday night.

Bellchambers was booked for forceful front-on contact against Luke Shuey in the first quarter, but escaped with a $3000 sanction with an early guilty plea.

He had the better of West Coast’s Tom Hickey in their head to head battle, gathering 17 disposals, five marks, 27 hit-outs and kicking a goal.

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