THERE was a time when Lachie Hunter thought he was going to miss out on being a part of the Western Bulldogs' 2015 renaissance.
He fitted the mould for Luke Beveridge's vision of the modern day Bulldog, being a highly skilled and versatile footballer.
But a club-imposed ban for being late to training and scratchy form thwarted Hunter's progress and he spent 11 of the first 14 rounds of the season toiling away in the VFL.
"It wasn't a great start," Hunter told AFL.com.au.
"I definitely thought (I could miss out) at the start of the year and I was doing my best to get back in.
"Looking back now it was probably a good thing for me."
The ability to act on feedback and a change in role are the catalysts for Hunter turning his season around.
An average of 30 possessions a game over the past six weeks underlines the 20-year-old's growing importance to the Dogs.
"Even when I was in the VFL (Beveridge) was telling me what I need to work on and what I need to do to get back in the AFL side," Hunter said.
"I think the change from half-forward to the wing has really helped me with my game.
"I've been playing a lot better footy the last few weeks and hopefully that will continue."
Hunter's rising status in the game should come as no surprise considering his sporting pedigree.
His father Mark represented the Dogs' on 130 occasions, mother Colleen was a world-class lacrosse player and he is a first cousin of 200-game brothers Mark and Jarrad McVeigh.
Mark McVeigh has closely watched Hunter's evolution this season as a supportive family member and in his role as an assistant coach with GWS.
"I think he's learnt how to stay in the game and he doesn't drift in and out any more," said McVeigh, who played 232 games for Essendon.
"Usually good half-forwards turn into good midfielders if they have the engine and it looks like Lachie does.
"He's been made to earn it by his new coach, which is always good, and it took some time to force his way back into the team.
"It's a credit to him and the coaching staff."
McVeigh believes his young cousin has the attributes to make a major contribution in the finals time.
"Lachie is that high-pressure player that Luke Beveridge is probably looking for," he said.
"He's got a calm head in situations when you're confronted by two, three or four players, and when he disposes of the ball he normally hits a target."
While Hunter is learning to live with the increased attention his form is drawing on and off the field, he's finding it hard not to get caught up in the finals fever infecting Whitten Oval.
"It's obviously massive for the club (making finals) for the first time in a fair few years," he said.
"Everyone is getting excited and I'm rapt to be a part of it."
