Lachie Henderson Interview

[Judderson]

Hey guys,
Recently for Bigfooty News I was given the opportunity to write a piece of my choosing about anything football: naturally, for me, it was about Carlton, and Hendo especially. As a result. I went to good old Tony De Bolfo, who gave me the opportunity to ask Hendo about his pre-season and the group as a whole, as well as his objectives. Below are the questions asked, and the piece for BFN will be up in a matter of days (probably less) hopefully.

-What is the general consensus around the club? (morale-wise, goals, optimism)

“Basically it’s about improvement. The players are endeavouring to better their individual performances and if that happens then the team gets better. Obviously top four is a goal, given that we finished fifth in 2011, but that’s not being arrogant. We just want to raise the bar.”


-How has this pre-season compared to previous years, both as a group and personally?

“Those players who were part of the high-altitude training camps in Qatar and Abu Dhabi no doubt benefitted hugely for their experiences. Personally, I feel pretty good, having got through the pre-season without hitch – which gives me the best possible chance to hit the home and aways hard.


-How did it feel to partake in an essentially full pre-season after the interruptions last year?

As mentioned, there’s no substitute for an injury-free pre-season campaign, whereas last year’s interrupted pre-season with the hip complaint impacted enormously on the season proper. Thankfully I was able to get back and string some games together.


-Last year, your move to Centre Half Back was a revelation and a practical god-send for the Carlton Football Club, who had been screaming out for another key backman. How long do you envisage you will play there? Do you think it will be for the majority of your career, and do you think you will move back to the Centre Half Forward position which you made yours in the latter half of 2010?

I’m happy to assist the club in any capacity in any position, whether it be back, forward or wherever. In saying that, I really enjoyed my time in the back half and I look forward to again being part of it.


-Who do you think is ready to take the next step at the footy club, whether it is cementing a spot in the 22 or stepping up to All-Australian/elite status?

“Sugar” Kane Lucas has benefitted enormously from an injury-free build-up and Shaun Hampson appears to have picked up from where he left off before he broke down last year. Hopefully there’ll be improvement across the board.


-What are your personal goals for this year and down the track? Do you see yourself as a future leader of the club?

My main goals are to be a consistent performer for the team, not only from game to game, but from quarter to quarter and if you want to compartmentalise it further, minute by minute. As for future leader, it’s not something I’ve seriously thought about, although I do hope I can lead by example in the way that I play.


-You will notch up your 'first' milestone of 50 games (hopefully) in Round 1 in 2012, the majority of those with Carlton. What has been your biggest career highlight to date? Who has been the toughest opponent you have played against, whether it was at Centre Half Forward or Centre Half Back?

I’d prefer not to name a toughest opponent – they’re all tough really. My biggest career highlight would have to be last year’s Elimination Final – my first winning final for Carlton.



-What has been a specific focus of yours in the pre-season? Have you been working in tandem with a particular coach or player?

The basic focus for me has been to get the one per centers right - training, diet, weights and so on and there are no magic formulas here. Our defensive group is pretty tight and we really feed off eachother. It’s a team within a team.


-How thankful are you that Jamison was injured, prompting your move to Centre Half Back? (tongue in cheek)

Yeah, I must last out and buy ‘Jamo’ a tatts ticket! Seriously, it’ll be fantastic if he can get a full season under his belt, as there’s no doubt Carlton is a better team with him in it.

Thanks to Tony De Bolfo and obviously Hendo for giving me this opportunity, I may be able to get a few more done throughout the year to share .

 

[zeeCFC]

Great work Judderson! Surely Lachie knows you by name now

 

[Judderson]

Great work Judderson! Surely Lachie knows you by name now

Not yet surprisingly [/shattered].

 

[HARKER]

Great read and intereseting just how assertive Lachie comes across through reading that material.

Well done Judderson.

 

[The Big Sticks]

Good read.

Well done.

 

[Jeremias]

Nicely done, Judderson

Hopefully the club enables you to get a few more interviews with other players throughout the course of the year.

 

[Aphrodite]

Great work & a great read Judderson.

Well done.

 

[Chief]

The BFN article: http://www.bigfootynews.com/2012/03/bringing-carlton-to-the-fore/

 

[thylacine60]

Blue turns back on forward line

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/129951/default.aspx

CARLTON key-position player Lachie Henderson is expecting to play as a permanent backman in 2012 after developing in the role last season.

The 22-year-old former Brisbane Lion has appeared in both attack and defence in his 49-game career, but appeared regularly in the backline in the second half of last season.

He stood up against forwards including Jack Riewoldt, Michael Hurley, Drew Petrie, Lance Franklin and Nick Riewoldt, and became an important part of the Blues' line-up when key back Michael Jamison missed eight games with a knee injury.

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/129951/default.aspx