Lachlan Hansen
Encyclopedia
Lachlan Hansen is an Australian rules football
er for the North Melbourne Football Club
of the Australian Football League
.
He was picked up at Draft Pick Number 3 in the 2006 AFL Draft
. Prior to the 2006 AFL Draft Hansen was widely seen as one of the top key position players for his age group, and was expected to be picked up by the Kangaroos in the number 3 spot.
As a natural centre half back player, Hansen's physical stature places him in the immediate limelight with media pundits already talking of an upcoming rivalry between himself and the number 2 draft pick from Essendon
, Scott Gumbleton
who is natural centre half forward.http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=307723
After 3 games in his debut year (2007), including a final against Hawthorn, Lachlan was hampered by injury in the early part of 2008. He made it back into the team for the Roos Round 13 clash against Hawthorn and remained in the team for the remainder of the home and away season. He was a late withdrawal, however, in the final against the Sydney Swans due to the inclement weather. Had a tremendous start to the 2009 season being one of the Roos best performers until he suffered a severe hamstring tear in Round 5 against Richmond. He missed the next 6 weeks.
At the start of the 2009 season, Hansen started to show some his potential, playing at centre half back he was one of the form defenders in the competition before he suffered a hamstring tear against Richmond. During his absence, Nathan Grima cemented a spot in the side, and upon his return, Hansen was played up forward to address a hole in the team.
He came back into the side in Round 12 against the Adelaide Crows and after a few games back in defence he was moved forward. Although his form after returning was not near his pre-injury form, he started to show some good signs, kicking 3 goals in the round 19 clash against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Could be seen as a "break-out" year for Lachlan. Began 2010 back in defence and showed some really solid form. Following a combination of poor form and injury by a couple of the North forwards he was switched to Centre half Forward against the Brisbane Lions in Round 11. Proved to be a real focal point up forward with 23 goals, including 5 against Port Adelaide and 4 against Geelong in consecutive weeks. Kicked another 4 against StKilda. His contested marking, a feature of his pre-draft days, was a highlight this year at either end of the ground. Hansen has cemented a spot in the teams 22 for the majority of the year. In the short-term it will be where coach Brad Scott believes the team will be best served. He believes that Hansen is equally adept at either end of the ground and will use his skills accordingly. Hansens career looks promising for the future and he has shown improvement every year.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er for the North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
of the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
He was picked up at Draft Pick Number 3 in the 2006 AFL Draft
2006 AFL Draft
The 2006 AFL Draft is a recent national draft of the Australian Football League. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League....
. Prior to the 2006 AFL Draft Hansen was widely seen as one of the top key position players for his age group, and was expected to be picked up by the Kangaroos in the number 3 spot.
As a natural centre half back player, Hansen's physical stature places him in the immediate limelight with media pundits already talking of an upcoming rivalry between himself and the number 2 draft pick from Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, Scott Gumbleton
Scott Gumbleton
Scott Gumbleton is an Australian rules footballer in the AFL, currently on the list for the Essendon Football Club.He was chosen by with the second selection in the 2006 AFL Draft. Prior to the Draft, Gumbleton was widely seen as one of the top key position players for his age group, and was...
who is natural centre half forward.http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=307723
After 3 games in his debut year (2007), including a final against Hawthorn, Lachlan was hampered by injury in the early part of 2008. He made it back into the team for the Roos Round 13 clash against Hawthorn and remained in the team for the remainder of the home and away season. He was a late withdrawal, however, in the final against the Sydney Swans due to the inclement weather. Had a tremendous start to the 2009 season being one of the Roos best performers until he suffered a severe hamstring tear in Round 5 against Richmond. He missed the next 6 weeks.
At the start of the 2009 season, Hansen started to show some his potential, playing at centre half back he was one of the form defenders in the competition before he suffered a hamstring tear against Richmond. During his absence, Nathan Grima cemented a spot in the side, and upon his return, Hansen was played up forward to address a hole in the team.
He came back into the side in Round 12 against the Adelaide Crows and after a few games back in defence he was moved forward. Although his form after returning was not near his pre-injury form, he started to show some good signs, kicking 3 goals in the round 19 clash against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Could be seen as a "break-out" year for Lachlan. Began 2010 back in defence and showed some really solid form. Following a combination of poor form and injury by a couple of the North forwards he was switched to Centre half Forward against the Brisbane Lions in Round 11. Proved to be a real focal point up forward with 23 goals, including 5 against Port Adelaide and 4 against Geelong in consecutive weeks. Kicked another 4 against StKilda. His contested marking, a feature of his pre-draft days, was a highlight this year at either end of the ground. Hansen has cemented a spot in the teams 22 for the majority of the year. In the short-term it will be where coach Brad Scott believes the team will be best served. He believes that Hansen is equally adept at either end of the ground and will use his skills accordingly. Hansens career looks promising for the future and he has shown improvement every year.