Harper Sercombe
One of 2024’s highest rated draft prospects Sam Lalor has signed with Bacchus Marsh in the same week he was named in next year’s AFL National Academy squad.
Lalor is both a talented cricketer and footballer, with his football traits on display in recent years for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the Coates Talent League and also in the Vic Country program. Now, he is boarding at Geelong College and said he is excited to take the next step in his football career.
“I’m pretty grateful for the opportunity, it’s a surreal feeling,” he said about being selected as part of the National Academy.
“There’s obviously a lot of things to do to get here and I can’t wait to have a go at it.
“I think the most important thing for me will be the coaches and staff around you, helping you get to your end goal and they really drive our own career and I’m also really excited to train a week with an AFL club.”
Lalor hails from a strong family of cricketers and he has been a part of Cricket Victoria’s elite junior programs, however he said he is happy with his priorities firmly set on a life in the AFL.
“I had a really good season last season and it’s really taken off my footy at the moment, it’s made me change from being a cricket preferred player to footy,” he said.
“This year was really enjoyable at the Rebels and in school footy, I can’t wait for next year.
“I was playing a lot of cricket and it was really enjoyable at the time but I think I just got a bit sick of playing so much.
“Footy would take my mind off it and I enjoyed it a lot more. I’m still playing school cricket, just a couple less games, I’m just loving playing it for fun.”
With the AFL draft happening just last week Lalor is full of determination and motivation to get his name read out this time next year. Experts have already rated him among the top prospects.
“It’s an end goal for me next year, to see four of my Rebels teammates and a lot of my Vic Country teammates get drafted is really motivating and hopefully I can be in their situation next year, but there’s obviously a lot of work to go,” he said.
“To play every game for Vic Country and hopefully get the Rebels to win a flag in the Coates League are also goals of mine for next season.”
At 187 centimetres and 87 kilograms at 17, the powerful inside midfielder is clean at the contest and enjoys using his strength to his advantage.
“I want to keep building my strength of being an inside player but then I want to learn a bit more forward craft and hopefully get deep forward and kick some goals,” he said.
Being at boarding school makes it tough for Lalor to get home to the Cobras much, but with holidays just around the corner he is keen to get stuck in and meet new coach Dennis Armfield.
“The Bacchus Marsh Football Club is awesome for me, they’ve helped me along my journey and made me be better, I’ve got a lot of mates and family there, it’s a very supportive club,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to when I get home in the holidays to get down and meet him and meet a lot of the new players.”
