'Was it a trap': Eddie McGuire's explosive theory amid AFL furore

AFL identity Eddie McGuire has posed an explosive theory about the highly publicised selection of Lachie Hunter for the Western Bulldogs' season opener against Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge turned heads on Tuesday after naming Hunter in his side's 22-man squad, despite reports on Monday that he was set to be dropped from the grand final rematch.

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Hunter, one of the Bulldogs' most prolific midfielders, will be one of 21 players from last year's grand final to play in Wednesday night's rematch against Melbourne at the MCG after being picked to start on the wing.

On Tuesday, Beveridge bristled at multiple questions surrounding Hunter's availability for the game, following a Fox Sports report that he would be left out of the team due to form.

"I'm aware of the reports but the team will come out later," Beveridge said at Whitten Oval.

"It's speculation from a journalist so you can't expect me to bite before the teams come out.

"I'm not going to talk about Lachie Hunter if this is some kind of interrogation or investigation into how he's been going.

"It will all be unnecessary at the end of the day, anyway."

Speaking on Channel Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night, former Collingwood president McGuire suggested that it might all have been a deliberate act of gamesmanship from the Bulldogs.

McGuire suggested that perhaps Beveridge and the Bulldogs deliberately leaked the story about dropping Hunter to the media, in order to catch a "rat" at the footy club.

“The Dogs were filthy about that vision of them singing the song getting out last year,” McGuire said.

“Was it a trap? It’s been known to happen.”

McGuire's co-panellist and former coach Ross Lyon said it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility and said something similar happened during his time at Fremantle, although can't remember whether the club identified the source of the leak.

“Their game plan has gotten out previously, as well, so it has been known to happen,” Lyon said about the Bulldogs.

“If you think you’re leaky, it has been discussed.”

Lachie Hunter's inclusion for Bulldogs dominates debate

Several reports emerged on Tuesday corroborating Fox Sports reporter Tom Morris' initial story about Hunter facing the axe, before he was named for the round one match.

Morris told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight on Tuesday that he stood by the original report.

“Lachie Hunter knew he was out this time last night. Not only did he know he was out, teammates knew, other club staff knew Lachie Hunter was out of the 22,” Morris said.

“It is a backflip, but I also wonder whether it’s a tactic; it was suggested to me by someone at the Western Bulldogs in the last few hours this was a tactic to actually give Lachie Hunter the kick up the backside he apparently needs.”

On Wednesday morning, Essendon legend Tim Watson warned about the chances of such a move backfiring - if indeed it was a deliberate move by the Bulldogs coach to motivate his player.

“Do you think Luke Beveridge may have been concerned about a leak at his club?” Watson asked on SEN.

“Or if you’ve told a player ‘you’re not in the side,’ the story breaks so you put him back in — it’s not necessarily a great way to be handling your players.

“It’s not really a good way to be managing a player.”

The Bulldogs have one of the deepest midfields in the AFL and Beveridge did admit it is tough to fit everyone he wanted into the team.

Premiership player Josh Dunkley became frustrated by his lack of time playing in the midfield during 2020, and unsuccessfully requested a trade to Essendon at the end of that season.

The Bulldogs can draw on Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar, Bailey Smith, Dunkley and Hunter to run through the middle.

"There is pressure on for spots, there's no doubt about it," Beveridge said.

"There's a number of boys who are putting their hand up who might be on the periphery.

"One approach isn't sustainable for too long so hopefully we get the mix right."

with AAP

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