Riddell’s Lachy Hay is taking the chance of a lifetime and moving to Tasmania after being offered a Victorian Football League contract.
Hay, who joined the Bombers from Macedon this season, is part of the Devils squad as they return to the VFL ahead of the club’s anticipated entry into the AFL.
The 18-year-old recently capped a best and fairest-winning season for Riddell by playing a starring role in the club’s grand final win over his former side Macedon, where he first played senior football at the age of 15.
“To get an opportunity like this — to go down to a VFL environment and a semi-professional environment — is really exciting and something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hay said.
Hay is somewhat of a bolt from the blue, having missed out on selection for Coates League side the Calder Cannons during his underage years.
The speedy right-footer admitted to being taken aback when the Devils’ list management and strategy head Todd Patterson first approached him.
“Out of the blue, Todd gave me a call and at first I thought he was taking the mickey out of me, so I didn’t really know what to think,” Hay said.
“He told me they were pretty keen, and I was pretty excited and pumped to get down there and be part of such an amazing and unique opportunity.”
Little did Hay know, Patterson had been watching closely from afar in his previous role in list management at the Melbourne Football Club.
“Basically, I worked out he hadn’t been in the talent pathway before, and what he was doing for his age was quite impressive in a senior competition. I went up and watched the grand final, which they won, and I thought he showed some talent in that game — wing, half-forward, highly skilful player — and he looks like he’s got something.”
In addition to his football talents, Hay is also a highly accomplished cricketer — an all-rounder who is part of the Cricket Victoria elite talent pathway.
“I was only sort of a month out from the [under-19] national championships in Perth for cricket, so I had to let them know that I’d be putting cricket on the backburner for a bit and just going all in with my footy,” he said.
Hay will pack up his belongings and relocate to Hobart on 7 November 7, a move made less daunting by the fact that he has been a regular visitor to the state.
His uncle, Dan Salpietro is a former coach of the Clarence Cricket Club.
“I was lucky enough to go down there and be involved a little bit when I was younger — I was the little twelfth man or mascot when they actually won the flag,” Hay said.
