NAB League Boys grand-finalists the Eastern Ranges were the competition’s only team without a player invited to the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine, but Lachlan Stapleton wants to prove to AFL clubs that he was worthy.
The 18-year-old midfielder helped lead an even Ranges outfit to the 2019 decider alongside fellow Victorian State Combine invitees like Mitch Mellis, Zakery Pretty, Jamieson Rossiter and Billy McCormack.
But, according to Stapleton, it was “a little bit disappointing” for no Eastern player to have generated enough interest from AFL clubs to score a national combine invite – not least himself, given he ended the season with the club’s best-and-fairest award and NAB League Boys Team of the Year honours.
The 177cm Rowville Hawks (Eastern FNL) product averaged 22 disposals, seven tackles and 4.5 inside-50s per game across 13 matches for the Ranges in 2019, playing a key role in their on-ball division both inside the contest and out in space.
* Visit the ‘Highlights’ section of the NAB League app to watch Lachlan Stapleton’s 2019 season highlights.
He was also set for an important part in Vic Metro’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships campaign in June and July before an untimely groin injury prevented him from appearing at national level until the team’s final match.
“My main goals this year were to be consistent and to make the Vic Metro squad,” Stapleton said ahead of the NAB AFL Draft on November 27-28.
“I think I had a really consistent year and didn’t play many bad games. Whatever the score was, I’d always be trying my hardest.
“I made the Vic Metro squad, but unfortunately I strained a groin in one of the trial games and had to miss four weeks, which was pretty much the whole Championships. I’d put my case forward before that and was playing some really good footy, and I think I deserved the chance to play the first game against Vic Country.
“I didn’t dwell on the injury and just had to move forward. I worked hard during my rehab and I was lucky enough to play the last game (a two-point loss to the Allies). I felt I did some good things that day.”
Once back at full fitness, Stapleton received a “shock” call-up for two VFL games with the Box Hill Hawks in August, having already trained with the club several times through its alignment with Eastern.
He played a different on-field role at senior level, further displaying his versatility to those AFL clubs that didn’t have him in their thinking for the national combine.
“The Hawks just wanted me to go out and enjoy the experience,” Stapleton said. “I played my role as a pressuring small forward and I felt I held my own against the bigger bodies.
“I see myself predominantly as an inside midfielder, but I can also go on the outside and use my legs. I think I use the ball nicely and have some run and dash, so I could play a role off half-back as well.
“I was lucky enough to get invited to train with Eastern as a 16-year-old and I played off half-back in five games that year (2017). That was an awesome experience.
“I was training with the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson (now at Collingwood) and Adam Cerra (Fremantle). It was a real eye-opener to see how they trained and the really high standard they were at. I thought I did really well at that level at that age.”
NAB LEAGUE ‘FAST FIVE’ QUESTIONS
Most influential person on your football at Eastern:
“It would have to be (head coach) Darren Bewick. We’ve had a close relationship that was formed in Year 7 at school (Rowville Sports Academy). He’s helped me develop my skills and the knowledge of my game from a young age and it’s continued through to this year at Eastern.”
Most valuable lesson learned in the NAB League:
“Probably not to overthink things and just play the game to enjoy it. Don’t dwell on the last contest or incident – just move on and enjoy playing.”
Teammate you’ve most enjoyed sharing the NAB League journey with:
“I love playing with Mitch Mellis and Jamieson Rossiter. We’ve had a great relationship that has been formed through school as well as at Eastern. I love running out with them each week knowing they’ll have my back.”
Most difficult NAB League opponent:
“Matthew Rowell (Oakleigh Chargers). His work ethic is unbelievable and not many players have his ability to will his teammates over the line, like he did in the Grand Final. He’s the toughest player I’ve played against.”
Most memorable NAB League moment:
“There are two that stand out. Our first win against the Sandringham Dragons this year (by nine points in Round 7) gave us massive belief that we could match it with the best. The other one has to be the preliminary-final win (by 30 points against the Gippsland Power) – the feeling when the siren sounded that we’d made it into the Grand Final was a special moment.”
