Sam Lalor is the toast of Bacchus Marsh after being taken at pick one in the AFL draft on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old was widely tipped to be taken by Richmond first in the draft in the lead up to the night.
It became a reality as the draft kicked off, much to the joy of the Bacchus Marsh community.
The Bacchus Marsh football and cricket clubs, where Lalor has spent a lot of time growing up, hosted a community gathering at Maddingley Park to watch the draft.
There were a few nervous moments before the draft, as the broadcast stream buffered, but they were soon forgotten when Lalor’s name was read out.
In the room were friends and family, along with teammates.
The Cobras’ senior team wrapped up pre-season training early to come in and watch Lalor be drafted.
All erupted every time Lalor was on the scream and then finally when his name was called out.
Lalor had been at the club two days out from the draft watching training.
Cobras senior coach Dennis Armfield, who played 145 AFL games after being taken at pick 46 in the 2007 draft, said it was different to his draft night when he didn’t even watch the draft.
Football manager Shannon Nixon said it was pretty exciting for the club.
“We are really proud,” he said. “He’s just a wonderful young man.
“His family have been involved with the club for a long period of time and we’re just really proud to have such an impressive, not only footballer, but person who will represent the club over the coming years.
“Hopefully he’ll have a very long career with Richmond.”
Nixon said that in very early days, he along with others around the football club could see Lalor making it to the highest level.
“He is such a naturally gifted player, but had the work ethic to go with it,” he said.
“He had all the attributes and hard work has helped him to capitalise on his natural talent.”
While a talented footballer, Lalor was just at home on the pitch at Maddingley Park.
Having represented Victoria in under age cricket, he made the decision to just focus on football, which proved to be the right decision.
Nixon said they didn’t try to put any pressure on him.
“He has loved his cricket forever,” Nixon said. “Excelled at a high level.
“It was very much a personal decision. It come down to his joy from playing footy.
“I don’t think it was an easy decision. Every young boy’s dream is to run out on the MCG in front of a packed house.
“Hopefully, he’s one step closer to achieving that dream.”
Lalor said the day after the draft he’d seen some of the footage from the clubs’ celebrations.
“They loved it,” he said. “They were up and about. They’ve been awesome for me, footy and cricket club. I can’t thank them enough.”
Lalor is the latest in a long line of players from the Bacchus Marsh and former Maddingley football clubs to make it on an AFL list.
Carlton’s Harry Vallance and 1963 AFL premiership captain Fred Wooller are two of the biggest names.
More recently, West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan was drafted from the club.
Current AFL players Aaron Cadman and Zak Butters were drafted from cross town rivals, Darley.
With Lalor going at pick one, it means the two local clubs have had two number one draft picks in three years.
“I think Bacchus Marsh and Darley community have a very strong representation at the highest level,” Nixon said.
“It speaks volumes for the community and the love for sport, which is around this club and this team
“Sam and Aaron are good representatives of our community and really good young men.”
Lalor said there’s a special bond between all the local players that is only set to grow.
“I think we are doing pretty well,” he said. “Obviously Aaron Cadman and Zak Butters and Liam Duggan.
“Hopefully we keep producing out of there, makes the Darley versus Bacchus Marsh rivalry pretty good.
“It’s pretty exciting and we all stay in contact and train with each other over the off season.”
