Richmond have kick-started their rebuild under coach Adem Yze by anointing Dustin Martin clone Sam Lalor on Wednesday night as the No.1 pick of this year’s loaded AFL draft class.
The Tigers last picked first in the national draft in 2004, when they selected Kyabram’s Brett Deledio – and are set to make as many as eight selections in the top 30 as they regenerate in the post-Damien Hardwick era.
Sam Lalor’s AFL journey is just getting started.Credit: AFL Photos
Lalor, 18, becomes the second GWV Rebels player to be the No.1 pick in the past three years, behind GWS Giants forward Aaron Cadman.
The Bacchus Marsh bull is likened to triple-Norm Smith medallist Martin due to his dual-position impact in the midfield and up forward, toughness, power, overhead marking and clean skills.
He even boasts a fend-off like Martin’s and wore the same No.4 on his back for the Rebels and his school side Geelong Grammar. There is the potential for Lalor to inherit Martin’s number now he is a Tiger and the 2017 Brownlow medallist has retired.
Lalor battled a number of injuries this year, including to his right knee, right hip and right ankle before a season-ending grade-three hamstring tendon strain in September.
The young gun has also never completed a proper football pre-season because he is a talented cricketer as well, and the consensus in recruiting ranks was he would be eased into the AFL environment, regardless of where he ended up.
Lalor’s cousin, Jordan Petai, represented the Wallabies at the past two rugby world cups, while another cousin, Jack Lalor, has played cricket for Victoria’s second XI. He is also close friends with batting prodigy Ollie Peake, who attended Geelong Grammar with him.
