LACHY Dovaston has established himself as one of the premier small forwards in the Coates Talent League. The tenacious prospect impressed for the Eastern Rangers in his bottom-age year last season, averaging 16 possessions per game and booting nine goals in 15 appearances.

In his top-age campaign, Dovaston has been able to duplicate his disposal output while increasing his scoreboard impact, scoring 24 goals across his 10 CTL outings. He also starred for Vic Metro, earning All-Australian selection having led the goalkicking division.

Given his dominance at the Under 18 level, the first-round prospect was due a promotion to senior footy. He earned just that in Round 20 of the VFL, making his debut for the Box Hill Hawks in a 19-point loss to Footscray. We put his performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> Up the Grades: Dovaston shines on VFL debut

Eastern Ranges, Vic MetroSmall Forward

Lachy Dovaston

Height: 177cm

Weight: -

DOB: 29-05-2007

STRENGTHS:
+ Aggression
+ Ground level game
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Speed
+ Tackle pressure
+ Work rate

SEASON AVERAGES:

2025 AFL U18 National Championships (4 games)
12.8 disposals, 3.5 tackles, 2.0 marks, 2.3 goals

2025 Coates Talent League (10 games)
15.8 disposals, 5.6 tackles, 2.2 marks, 2.4 goals

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 VFL Round 20
Box Hill Hawks 7.12 (54) def. by Footscray Bulldogs 11.7 (73)

#76 Lachy Dovaston (Box Hill Hawks)
Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

FIRST QUARTER:

Dovaston signalled his intent from the outset, making his way up to the first midfield stoppage, then immediately winning the first forward 50 clearance. He also had a hand in his side’s first goal. Again, he pressed up into the centre, leading his opponent to the ball before wheeling around on his right boot with a forward 50 entry that allowed his teammate to run into an open goal.

Such willingness to work up the ground and provide an option for teammates further afield was a feature of his performance. To cap off his impressive start, he laid a hellacious tackle inside 50 on senior-listed Bulldog Arthur Jones.

SECOND QUARTER:

Dovaston was a threat up forward early in the quarter, reading the ball off packs and distributing with clean hands. He demonstrated his toughness on a couple of occasions while absorbing tackles from more mature bodies, winning a free kick for high contact, which resulted in a shot on goal.

Dovaston showed the ability to lose his man and rack up loose ball up the ground, although this aggression bit him at times. The small forward simultaneously worked hard to remedy mistakes, running hard to chase down opponents.

He also showcased his creative ball use inside 50, effectively delivering to a teammate’s advantage in a one-on-one contest, which resulted in the ball spilling out and Dovaston surging forward to impact the play again.

THIRD QUARTER:

Dovaston continued to work up and down the ground, once again getting involved in possession chains through the centre before making his way down to the forward arc. He was able to find space out the back of a forward 50 stoppage and received a short pass, which created another set shot on goal for the Eastern Rangers prospect.

Luck was on his side late in the quarter. A high ball fell into his lap at half-back, then moments later, his direct opponent inside 50 dived forward to intercept a ball that he couldn’t trap. Dovaston was eagerly waiting behind him for the football to trickle into his hands, which allowed him to snap at goal.

FOURTH QUARTER:

In the last term, Dovaston was eventually rewarded for all his toil throughout the afternoon. He led hard into a pocket for a comfortable chest mark, then successfully snapped the set shot, which was enjoyed by his Hawks teammates who rushed across the field to congratulate him.

It was an appropriate reception given that Box Hill had witnessed the debutant’s willingness to help out his peers all day, which resulted in a tangible impact on the contest.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

With this performance, Dovaston did his chances of being taken in the first round no harm. He was consistently involved in possession chains through the middle of the ground and showcased an impressive gas tank that allowed him to work as hard defensively as offensively.

The lively forward was being minded by Josh Kellett, a player more than six years his senior, but was able to break free from his clutches regularly as a result of his hard running.

Dovaston’s reflexes in tight stood out, with his sharpness around stoppages proving eye-catching. Although he couldn’t quite cap off his work, he was able to generate four shots at goal and set up multiple others.

Small forwards with Dovaston’s combination of work rate and potency are rare, so expect him to be in heavy consideration for clubs looking for specialist types on night one of the draft.