Lachlan McNeil (Australian rules footballer)

Lachlan McNeil (born 2 September 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the Western Bulldogs with the 11th draft pick in the 2020 AFL Rookie draft.[1]

Lachlan McNeil
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-09-02) 2 September 2001 (age 23)
Original team(s) Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL)
Draft No. 11, 2020 rookie draft (Western Bulldogs)
No. 10, 2024 rookie draft (Western Bulldogs)
Debut 19 March 2021, Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 80 kg (176 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Western Bulldogs
Number 30
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2021– Western Bulldogs 29 (17)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 9, 2021.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early football

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Son of former Norwood wingman Tim McNeil who played 62 games for the Redlegs in the 1980's, McNeil played junior football with the South Clare Demons in the North Eastern Football League,[2] beginning in the under 14s division and playing a total of 47 games over 4 seasons.[3] He played for the Woodville-West Torrens junior divisions in 2019, where he was selected in the South Australia Under 18s state squad in the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships.[4] He was named as one of the best players for South Australia in Rounds 2 and 5.[5][6]

He has always been considered to be a tough, hard-nosed inside mid who works as hard in defence as he does in offence, something that is rare in under 18 players with talent"

Tony Bamford[7]

During his time with the South Australian team, he played the majority of his time as a ruck-rover.[8] McNeil played all games with Woodville-West Torrens' senior team in the 2020 SANFL season,[9] kicking 6 goals, averaging 18.6 disposals and 2.6 clearances a game.[10] McNeil was named a s a breakthrough player in the SANFL in April 2020, after his coach Jade Sheedy named him as an impressive player.[11] He played a vital part in their grand final win over North Adelaide, kicking a running goal[12] and collecting 23 disposals, 9 marks and 8 tackles.[13]

AFL career

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McNeil debuted for the Western Bulldogs in the opening round of the 2021 AFL season, in their 16-point victory over Collingwood.[14][15][16] On his debut, he kicked a goal[17][18] and tallied 9 disposals and a mark.[19] It was revealed McNeil signed a two-year contract extension with the team on 16 June 2021, tying him to the club until the end of 2023.[20]

Statistics

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Statistics are correct to the end of round 9, 2021.[21]
Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2021 Western Bulldogs 30 9 6 7 46 38 84 14 15 0.7 0.8 5.1 4.2 9.3 1.6 1.7
Career 9 6 7 46 38 84 14 15 0.7 0.8 5.1 4.2 9.3 1.6 1.7

References

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  1. ^ Waterworth, Ben; Laughton, Max (10 December 2020). "AFL Rookie Draft wrap: Premiership Tiger joins FOURTH club, Port's shock call as Jackson Hately gets his Crows wish". Fox Sports. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  2. ^ "The South Clare football factory continues with Lachlan McNeil listes at pick 11…". Barossa Valley Online News. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Lachlan McNeil - South Clare Stats". SportsTG. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  4. ^ "7 Eagles players selected in the SA Under 18's State Squad". 3 May 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  5. ^ King, Travis (15 June 2019). "Defending U18 champions open account in thriller over WA". AFL Media. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ Beveridge, Riley (3 July 2019). "Gaff-like top-10 prospect leads SA to comfortable win". AFL Media. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ Simpkins, Brendan (27 November 2019). "Nervous wait for North Eastern duo". Northern Argus. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  8. ^ Sdimpkins, Brendan (26 June 2019). "Exports impressive for State U18 team". Northern Argus. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  9. ^ "2020 Rookie Draft: McNeil arrives, Smith returns". Western Bulldogs Media. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Lachlan McNeil - Player Stats". SANFL. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  11. ^ Milbank, Zac (15 April 2020). "Powerade Breakthrough Player – Lachlan McNeil". SANFL Media. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  12. ^ Milbank, Zac (19 October 2020). "Eagles fly high to win 2020 Statewide Super League Premiership". Woodville West Torrens Eagles Media. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  13. ^ "2020 SANFL Grand Final Stats". SANFL. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  14. ^ "McNeil locked in for round one". Western Bulldogs Media. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Cats' gun recruit to miss weeks; Saints without NINE first-choice stars: AFL Team Whispers". Fox Sports. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  16. ^ Cotton, Ben (17 March 2021). "Bulldogs to unveil FOUR Round 1 debutants". ZeroHanger. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  17. ^ Plerik, Jon (19 March 2021). "Treloar has last laugh as Bulldogs topple Magpies". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  18. ^ Laughton, Max (19 March 2020). "Treloar's perfect revenge as Dogs' new-look midfield bullies troubled Grundy, Magpies". Fox Sports. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs - Player Stats". AFLTables. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. ^ "McNeil deal delivered". Western Bulldogs Media. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Lachlan McNeil". AFLTables. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
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