LACHIE Rhook is hoping to add his name to Koroit’s list of premiership players when he runs out for his maiden Hampden league senior grand final on Saturday.
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The first-year Saint is in the minority at Victoria Park – most of his teammates have multiple flags to their credit.
Rhook, 19, is two decades younger than one of his teammates, retiring Saints great Joe McLaren, who is vying for his sixth premiership medallion.
McLaren, Taylor Mulraney, Dallas Mooney, Isaac Templeton, Jeremy Hausler and Ben Goodall are all striving to win their fourth in a row.
“Six are going for the four but I don’t think there’s many going for one,” Rhook said ahead of the clash with arch rival Port Fairy.
Rhook has played 11 senior games for Koroit in 2017 after crossing from North Warrnambool Eagles, where he won an under 16s flag in one of his three seasons.
Family ties lured him to Victoria Park – his grandfather is life member Frank Holscher.
The Warrnambool-based teenager’s uncles Ants Mahony, Brian Collins, Peter Holscher and Mick Holscher also have strong ties to the Saints.
“I thought ‘if I don’t go out now, I never will’,” Rhook said.
“I am absolutely loving it so far.”
Rhook started in the reserves but quickly pushed his case for senior selection.
The third-year building apprentice, who spent his grand final week at trade school in Warrnambool, arrived at Koroit under the newly-implemented points system. His high points tally made it hard for coach Chris McLaren to squeeze him into the best 21.
“I was struggling a bit with the points system, obviously coming from North didn’t help, so I am a four-pointer,” Rhook said.
“But Tim McIntyre hurt his thumb earlier and it helped me out a bit and Marcus Darmody too doing the hamstring helped out too.”
Seven are going for the four (flags in a row) but I don’t think there’s many going for one.
- First-year Saint Lachie Rhook on his premiership teammates' success