WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge hopes an outcome of an AFL investigation into Lachie Hunter's betting activity will happen within days.

The Dogs coach also said the young midfielder would be free for selection early in the season.

 

Hunter met with the AFL's integrity department last week after reporting to his club that a bet was placed on the Bulldogs' loss to Melbourne last Saturday from his betting account.

 

He has claimed it was placed by a Footscray VFL player.

 

Hunter, currently unavailable for selection because he was late to a training session before the NAB Challenge games began, trained with his teammates on Friday at Whitten Oval.

 

Following Saturday night’s impressive 61-point win over Collingwood, Beveridge said the club would keep supporting Hunter and hoped the 20-year-old would learn from the experience.

 

"I'm hoping that something we can hang our hat on decision-wise will happen early next week, that's up to the AFL," Beveridge said.

 

"All we're doing is supporting him. We can't really make too much comment on it.

 

"He's probably been through a period where he's learned a bit about what his future looks like with doing the right thing by himself and his teammates, and so we need to help him through it.

 

"Hopefully in the early part of this season we can get him back into the side and he can start to play good footy because he's a very important player for us."

 

Meanwhile, Collingwood's Jack Crisp started as a substitute in Saturday night's game amidst his own betting drama.

 

The young Pie is also being investigated for a wager made early last season when he was still playing for the Brisbane Lions.

 

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said the Magpies were supporting their recruit through a situation the 21-year-old had been open and up front about.

 

"He was made aware of the AFL's knowledge of it two or three weeks ago and he's been really open and transparent in his misunderstanding of his obligations," Buckley said.

 

"I think the AFL have handled it well. We've been really forward with it as a club. 

 

"Jack's a little bit embarrassed about it, as you'd expect, but he's been very open and honest. You take him as you see him because he's an open book.

 

"He made a blue, he's owned up to it and he's prepared to pay his penance whatever that is."'

 

Crisp came on the third quarter and had nine touches and laid six tackles against the Dogs.