Insiders Exclusive: Why Andy Collins is bullish on Bramble
"He’s got that unique speed and endurance"
Hawthorn debutant Lachie Bramble could make a similar impact at AFL level as fellow mature age rookie recruits Adam Saad, Kane Lambert and Brody Mihocek.
That’s the view of former Hawthorn premiership star and now Box Hill assistant coach Andy Collins, who brought Bramble with him to the club when he moved from Williamstown in 2021 to work under Sam Mitchell.
“I’ve known him for four years now,” Collins told Hawks Insiders (full interview here). “He’s got that unique speed and endurance, similar to Bradley Hill. He has that running ability with speed but can go up and down the ground. He has some really nice agility and when he gets into space has really good skill.”
Collins and 2008 premiership player Clinton Young - also at Box Hill as an assistant coach - identified some key “AFL traits” in Bramble when the pair were together at Williamstown. They brought him to Box Hill at the start of 2021 to get him under the noses of Hawthorn’s coaching staff, most notably Sam Mitchell and development coach Andy Otten. He earned a last minute place on the senior list during the Supplemental Selection Period in March.
“Both of us thought that Hawthorn could do with a player like Lachie,” he says. “He had a real resilience and maturity around his decision making all the way through. Look at him at 23. Kane Lambert is another Williamstown player I’ve had a lot to do with. They have very similar traits. Both highly intelligent, hard working young men.”
Like Jai Newcombe, who made his debut last week against the Swans, Collins expects Bramble to make an instant impact. “Like a lot of young players, their debuts are normally full of nerves and getting used to teammates. But I’m sure we’ll see some moments and a player of the future. Lachie and Jai will really push each other to become better players for the Hawthorn footy club.”
Bramble has been named on the bench for the Hawks as they take on the Bombers in Launceston on Sunday. He’ll be the Hawks’ seventh debutant of the season, following debuts from Newcombe, Jacob Koschitzke, Ned Reeves, Tyler Brockman, Emerson Jeka and, er, Connor Downie.
Subscribe now to read for the full interview with Collins where he discusses Bramble’s:
Recruitment to the club ✅
His work ethic and resilience ✅
His year away from footy ✅
What ‘sparks’ him off field ✅
His tutelage under Sam Mitchell ✅