Talented teenage footballer Lachlan Hay crossed from Macedon to be a senior premiership player with Riddell seniors last season, then seized upon a remarkable opportunity to try his luck with the Tasmania Football Club (Tassie Devils) in 2026.
Last week Lachy’s success story was enhanced when he accepted the inaugural ‘Honour the Map, Inspire the Future’ award at the Tasmanian club’s Presentation Night.
This award recognises the player who has truly embraced and embodied what it means to be a Tasmanian Devil off the playing field in 2026.
His journey has been far from the traditional way of getting to play in VFL/AFL ranks.
On-field the name of Lachy Hay soon became well known in 2026 as the club’s VFL side proved to be very competitive.
He finished up in ninth place in the club’s best player award with 196 votes. Experienced campaigner Hugh Dixon won with 241 votes.
When he joined the Tasmania Devils, Hay quickly became labelled as one of those “hidden stars from the bush” players.
He admits he was surprised when he was first approached to consider joining the Devils.
A Gisborne lad, Lachy’s early football was with the Under 10s at Gisborne Giants and Gisborne Rookies.
He spent time at Sunbury Lions Junior Football Netball Club, then moved onto the Macedon Cats.
At the age of just 15, he debuted with the Macedon seniors, and also played with the Cats’ Under 17s on Sundays.
As a 17-year-old with 32 senior games at Macedon behind him, Lachy joined Riddell, who had won the 2024 senior premiership and were rated a strong chance to make it a double in 2025.
Unfazed with the Riddell Bombers, his abundant skills on the wing and half-forward were soon well recognised and he finished up playing 19 senior games and kicking 23 goals, as well as being one of the stars in the thrilling grand final when Riddell edged out Macedon.
As an 18-year-old Lachy won the Alan Retallick Medal, the Bombers’ top individual award.
A Tasmania Devils recruiter just happened to be watching the grand final, and in a short time he “sounded” out the teenager about his footy future.
Fast forward, and the name Lachlan Hay soon appeared on the Tasmanian 50-player VFL list for 2026.
He made his debut for the Tasmania Devils in the VFL opening round for 2026 at North Hobart, and was in a winning side before over 10,000 spectators.
It’s been a great experience for the teenager, who impressed Devils’ coach Jeromey Webberley with his skill levels and willingness to learn and improve.
Becoming the inaugural ‘Honour the Map, Inspire the Future’ winner was another step in what could be an exciting on-field football career spanning many years.
Lachy is also a very talented young cricketer, who is pleased he took up the Devils’ opportunity, with the club’s future being part and parcel of the AFL’s expansion.
