Plucked out of the SANFL mid-year, thrown into an AFL system, and now navigating a pandemic.

It’s fair to say Lachie Hosie’s first year as a North Melbourne player has been out of the ordinary. 

The fifth pick in the 2019 Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Hosie was named as an emergency on a number of occasions last season. 

“I was close last year, and it would have been great to get a game in,” Hosie told North Media. 

But Hosie has found it tough going to get into the North forward line in 2020, with the 23-year-old suggesting his defensive game needs work. 

“I’m working on the technical side of my defensive game at the moment. I need to work on my running patterns defensively, and hone in on my forward craft as much as I can.

“The coaches know I’m not bad around the sticks, but the other side is what I need to work on. Hopefully the practice games can keep happening and allow me to do that.

“Running patterns, and knowing where to be when the ball is out of your area and those sorts of things have been hard to master.” 

Small forward Kayne Turner is renowned for his defensive pressure, and Hosie has been working alongside him to better his game.

“Kayne (Turner) and Jade Rawlings have been really good, and it’s been great to pick their brains. 

“Kayne has obviously mastered the defensive side and that’s why he’s in the side every week. Curtis also does it really well, so I’ve been feeding of him a little bit.” 

Hosie was full of praise for assistant coach Jade Rawlings. 

“He’s been unreal.

“He really gets me as a player and a person, and I can go to him for anything. 

“He’s a great mentor.”