Lachlan Hansen

Lachlan Hansen (born 17 August 1988) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

He was picked up at Draft Pick Number 3 in the 2006 AFL Draft. Prior to the 2006 AFL Draft Hansen was widely seen as one of the top key position players for his age group, and was expected to be picked up by the Kangaroos in the number 3 spot.

As a natural centre half back player, Hansen's physical stature places him in the immediate limelight with media pundits already talking of an upcoming rivalry between himself and the number 2 draft pick from Essendon, Scott Gumbleton who is natural centre half forward.^[1]

After 3 games in his debut year (2007), including a final against Hawthorn, Lachlan was hampered by injury in the early part of 2008. He made it back into the team for the Roos Round 13 clash against Hawthorn and remained in the team for the remainder of the home and away season. He was a late withdrawal, however, in the final against the Sydney Swans due to the inclement weather. Had a tremendous start to the 2009 season being one of the Roos best performers until he suffered a severe hamstring tear in Round 5 against Richmond. He missed the next 6 weeks.

At the start of the 2009 season, Hansen started to show some his potential, playing at centre half back he was one of the form defenders in the competition before he suffered a hamstring tear against Richmond. During his absence, Nathan Grima cemented a spot in the side, and upon his return, Hansen was played up forward to address a hole in the team.

He came back into the side in Round 12 against the Adelaide Crows and after a few games back in defence he was moved forward. Although his form after returning was not near his pre-injury form, he started to show some good signs, kicking 3 goals in the round 19 clash against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Could be seen as a "break-out" year for Lachlan. Began 2010 back in defence and showed some really solid form. Following a combination of poor form and injury by a couple of the North forwards he was switched to Centre half Forward against the Brisbane Lions in Round 11. Proved to be a real focal point up forward with 23 goals, including 5 against Port Adelaide and 4 against Geelong in consecutive weeks. Kicked another 4 against StKilda. His contested marking, a feature of his pre-draft days, was a highlight this year at either end of the ground. Hansen has cemented a spot in the teams 22 for the majority of the year. In the short-term it will be where coach Brad Scott believes the team will be best served. He believes that Hansen is equally adept at either end of the ground and will use his skills accordingly. Hansens career looks promising for the future and he has shown improvement every year.