2023 Player Reviews: #12 Lachie Hunter

[Demonland 73,140]

Date of Birth: 13 December, 1994
Height: 182cm
Weight: 82kg

Games MFC 2023: 24
Career Total: 197
 
Goals MFC 2023: 6
Career Total: 79
 
Brownlow Medal Votes: 3

Recruited from the Bulldogs to add extra bite on a wing, Hunter was a valuable asset and played in all but one game (unlucky to be suspended in the game against Port Adelaide).

[Hopeful Demon 1,517]

I like Hunter. I thought he was harshly judged this year. His endurance is elite and his kicking is nowhere near as bad as some people on here make it out to be.

I'm still an Ed Langdon fan but Hunter was the better wingman this season.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Hopeful Demon

[Chook 15,022]

Much maligned by me. He really would benefit from improving his disposal. I know he runs a lot and that probably influences how fatigued he is when kicking, but getting the ball is half the battle. Disposing of it is the other half.

[DeeZone 10,108]

I was pleasantly surprised with Lachie Hunter this year, thought he held his wing up well, he gets his share of the ball and usually uses it well, also has impressive stamina and slightly edged Ed Landon in the wingers club this year. Hope he can give us a full year again in ‘24 although he will have a couple of youngsters snapping at his heels next year.

[Deeoldfart 8,061]

Just a ‘solid’ year for mine …… on a par with Lingers. I guess I had the bar set a little bit higher.

[monoccular 17,573]

Competition for places is so important.  IMVHO he did an OK job 2023, but needs to at least go even and probably improve with competition from the likes of Wowoden II, Howes, and. even Billings (maybe) and Windsor.

[Cranky Franky 2,091]

He was ok but has lost a yard of pace. Overused the ball at times. Hopefully he will be challenged for his spot by a youngster.

[loges 6,767]

Thought he had a good first half of the year but faded in the second half.

[Slartibartfast 17,627]

Hunter (and Langdon) both failed to finish in the top 10 of the B&F despite playing every game bar the one missed by Hunter.  In an award that favours those that play games and for blokes that are in crucial positions it's an interesting commentary by the coaches. 

Whatever Lachie was not doing he'd better improve because there is a lot of competition for spots from those that might not necessarily be seen a wingers - Billings, Chandler, Howes, Woewodin, Laurie, Spargo and perhaps even the Kolt and Duke.

Langdon is under pressure too. It's an interesting watch.

[Tarax Club 3,960]

As the “Tap Brothers” experiment fades from the memory of vigorous maturity to terminal senescence, all within one season. The current membership of the ‘Winger’s Club’ may well come under greater scrutiny. Where greater dynamism is sought after by team performance managers.

As the previous poster rightly alludes to, both first choice candidates have taken Everest at earlier stages of their careers and appear to be descending from that lofty peak.

Not without saying, both Langdon and Hunter played manfully and provided solid options on the wings during the season. Time and opposition counter measures could be taking their toll.

Ed Langdon probably still has the ‘tank’ but seems to be rested more and is not getting as involved as frequently in possession chains, forward entries and goal scoring as before.

Whereas Luke Beveridge could be a more astute judge of a player than many give him credit for. To my eye the younger Hunter found space more readily and had greater depth with his kicking.

Next season will be an interesting watch. With potential young guns like Caleb Windsor and Blake Howes, positioning themselves for a debut and more opportunity.

Edited December 31, 2023 by Tarax Club

[BW511 2,688]

I’m a year that ended with such frustration, I think both wingers will be under the microscope this preseason.

We’ve got a few young guys pushing hard for game time and there will have to be changes to our method, meaning defensive running isn’t the sole focus for that position.

Hunter and Langdon will be one of the more intriguing stories heading into the ‘24 season

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

Boundary line wingmen are so passe