'Was it a trap?': Sensational theory tabled amid bizarre Lachie Hunter selection drama
Questions have been raised over whether the Western Bulldogs deliberately planted a story suggesting Lachie Hunter would be dropped in Round 1 in order to catch out a staffer who is leaking stories to journalists.
After a Fox Sports report suggested Hunter was set to be axed by coach Luke Beveridge for the grand final rematch against Melbourne, Beveridge was forced to fend off questions regarding the left-footer's status, before selecting him in his 23-man line-up.
Hunter was named on the wing in the Bulldogs' line-up for the season opener, just hours after Beveridge batted away questions regarding his spot in the side.
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"I'm aware of the reports, but the team will come out this afternoon," Beveridge told reporters.
"It's speculation from a journalist, so you can't expect me to bite before the teams come out."
Luke Beveridge fumed when asked by reporters about Lachie Hunter's spot in his Round 1 side Getty
Beveridge was then asked what he thought of Hunter's performance during the Bulldogs' pre-season loss to Brisbane, where he was held to just 14 possessions.
"Boys, the team will come out this afternoon, so I'm not going to talk about Lachie Hunter if this is some kind of interrogation or investigation into how he's been going," he replied.
"It'll all be unnecessary at the end of the day, anyway."
However, former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and ex-Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wondered whether Beveridge had simply executed a master plan to weed out a leaky member of his staff.
"The Dogs were filthy about that vision of them singing the song getting out last year," McGuire told Nine's Footy Classified.
"Was it a trap? It's been known to happen."
"Their game plan has gotten out previously, as well, so it has been known to happen," Lyon added.
Hunter managed just 14 disposals against Brisbane in the Dogs' pre-season hitout Getty
"If you think you're leaky, it has been discussed."
Lyon revealed that something similar had occurred during his time at Fremantle, saying "the footy operations manager may have just planted something".
Despite Lyon and McGuire's theories, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson backed the original report.
"Look, he's a premiership coach, he's a grand final coach from last year, we know he's obviously very good at what he does, but there was clearly something going on with Lachie Hunter," she told Footy Classified.
"We love the way he backs his players, but I just don't think it's an 'interrogation' or 'investigation' to ask about Lachie's pre-season."
