It’s hoo Roo for Lachie’s debut

By Paul Dunlop
FOOTY fans will have extra reason to cheer this Saturday when Pakenham teenager Lachlan Hansen makes his AFL debut.
Hansen will savour one of the biggest moments of his life when he runs on to the MCG for the Kangaroos in their season opener clash with Collingwood.
News of his selection has already been a talking point around town.
With a crowd of up to 50,000 likely for the big game, a strong Pakenham contingent is expected at the ground to cheer the newest Roo on.
Hansen said he first found out about his selection in the team after training on Monday.
“Dean (coach Dean Laidley) came up to me and said I was in. It was pretty awesome.”
Parents Thor and Crena will be at the MCG to wish their son well. Hansen said they were thrilled.
“They were rapt as well, they’ll definitely be coming to the game,” he said.
“I’ve had quite a few other calls from mates wishing me well. It should be a big day.”
Taken at number three in last year’s national draft, the 197 centimetre Hansen, a former Pakenham Secondary College student, has impressed in pre-season games.
He has played mainly as a defender with the Kangaroos but also kicked two goals when thrown forward in the NAB Cup.
It’s certainly been a baptism of fire for the affable 18-year-old whose work ethic has impressed Laidley and the rest of the Kangaroos coaching panel.
He had to have his hair shaved off in his first few weeks at Arden Street after being on the losing end of a team ‘Kangalotto’ challenge.
Hansen was also on the receiving end of a hip to the face from Fremantle player Michael Johnson during an NAB Cup match. Johnson got four weeks for the hit, but Hansen shrugged off the incident.
The most notable thing about the pre-season was the step up in the amount of training, he told the News.
“It’s been pretty hard, every day. Before this I was used to only training about one or two nights a week.”
Hansen said the rest of the week would be spent either training or resting but is not thinking too far ahead to the big game.
“I’m sure I’ll be a bit nervous but I’m not too bad,” he said.
All Australian with Gippsland Power last year, Hansen said his aim had been to play one senior game in 2007.
He said he was now hoping to build on it.
“Hopefully we can have a win. It should be fun,” he said.