Luke Dahlhaus

Luke Dahlhaus
Personal information
Full name Luke Dahlhaus
Nickname(s) Grommet
Date of birth 21 August 1992 (1992-08-21) (age 19)
Original team Geelong Falcons (TAC Cup)
Draft #22, 2011 Rookie Draft, Western Bulldogs
Height/Weight 177cm / 72kg
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Western Bulldogs
Number 40
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2011– Western Bulldogs 11 (11)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .
Career highlights

Luke Dahlhaus (born 21 August 1992) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. Easily recognisable on the field with his dreadlocked hair, Dahlhaus' enthusiastic and energetic style of football have quickly made him a fan favourite.[1]

Contents

Early career

Described as a "very strong and quick small forward who picks up possessions almost at will,"[2] as well as "a good stoppage player,"[3] Dahlhaus began playing football with his local team Leopold in the Geelong Football League. He was also selected to play for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup youth competition, where he spent two seasons and played 27 games. In the 2010 TAC Cup, Dahlhaus averaged 21 disposals and six tackles per game, and was the leading tackler in the competition.[4] He also represented Victoria Country at the under-18 national championships, and finished third in the Morrish Medal count with 18 votes. He was rewarded for his hard work by being named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.[5] Later in the year he broke the record for agility at the state screening.[3]

AFL career

The Western Bulldogs selected Dahlhaus with their pick number 22 in the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft, and was assigned the guernsey number 40. He started the season playing for affiliate club Williamstown in the reserves side, but was soon promoted to the senior side, with coach Peter German noting his aggression and enthusiasm.[4] After playing a handful of promising games for Williamstown, coupled with significant injury worries, the Bulldogs promoted Dahlhaus from the rookie list and named him as the substitute player in the match against St Kilda in Round 12 at Etihad Stadium. The Bulldogs lost the game, but Dahlhaus showed lots of promise in the limited game time he was given. He gathered 9 disposals and showed some dash with his run-and-carry along the wings.[6]
Better was to come in his next game against Adelaide. The Dogs broke a four-game losing streak - winning by 30 points - and Dahlhaus was recognized as one of the best Bulldogs players.[7][8] He recorded 18 disposals with six inside-50s, laid four tackles and kicked his first career goal in the last quarter to seal the victory.

In round 21 Dahlhaus earned a nomination for the 2011 AFL Rising Star.[9]

Reference

  1. ^ Luke Dahlhaus locks in cult status at Western Bulldogs
  2. ^ Luke Dahlhaus - 2011 Draft Profile, 10 October 2010
  3. ^ a b Luke Dahlhaus Player Profile
  4. ^ a b Bulldogs may pick Luke Dahlhaus for crunch game against St Kilda, 8 June 2011
  5. ^ Luke Dahlhaus leaves Geelong Falcons on a high, 7 September 2010
  6. ^ Bulldogs rookie Luke Dahlhaus happy to start his AFL career as a sub, 11 June 2011
  7. ^ Western Bulldogs keep season alive with 30-point win, 18 June 2011
  8. ^ Match Details, 17 June 2011
  9. ^ Holmesby, Luke (16 August 2011). "Haus rules". AFL BigPond Network. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/121059/default.aspx. Retrieved 9 August 2011. 

External links

Western Bulldogs – current squad

* denotes Rookie Listed players