Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is hopeful the AFL’s betting investigation into Lachie Hunter will wrap up early next week.
Hunter, 20, became embroiled in controversy on Thursday when it was revealed an unnamed VFL player had placed a bet on a Bulldogs game using his account.
The AFL’s integrity unit launched an investigation into the betting activity after the club reported the incident.
Bulldogs president Peter Gordon played down the seriousness of the breach of the league’s anti-gambling guidelines on Friday, with Beveridge also keen to lay the matter to rest.
“I’m hoping that something we can hang our hat on decision-wise will happen early next week, that’s up to the AFL,” Beveridge said.
“All we’re doing is supporting him.
“He’s probably been through a period where he’s learned a bit about what his future looks like with doing the right thing by himself and his teammates, so we need to help him through it.
“Hopefully in the early part of this season we can get him back into the side and he can start to play good footy because he’s a very important player for us and hopefully there’s no big issues next week and we can just march ahead.”
Hunter was absent as the Bulldogs finished their NAB Challenge series in style with a 61-point defeat of Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Former Brisbane player Jack Crisp is also under investigation for an alleged breach of the league’s anti-gambling code that may have occurred last year.
The 21-year-old went on as a substitute for Collingwood against the Dogs.
Speaking after the match, coach Nathan Buckley was equally keen to see a quick resolution to the issue.
“He was made aware of the AFL’s knowledge of it two or three weeks ago and he’s been really open and transparent in his misunderstanding of his obligations,” Buckley said.
“I think the AFL have handled it well. We’ve been really forward with it as a club.
“Jack’s a little bit embarrassed about it, as you’d expect, but he’s been very open and honest. You take him as you see him because he’s an open book.
“He made a blue, he’s owned up to it and he’s prepared to pay his penance whatever that is.”
