Sam Lalor

Lalor was raised in the Victorian country town of Bacchus Marsh, 50 kilomtres north-west of Melbourne. He is one of four children to father Steve and mother Caitlyn.

Lalor played junior football with Bacchus Marsh Football Club in the Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL).{{cite web |last1=Batten |first1=Dan |title=Potential No. 1 pick Sam Lalor on his horror injury run, cricket background and game that changed everything |url=https://www.themercury.com.au/news/potential-no1-pick-sam-lalor-on-his-horror-injury-run-cricket-background-and-game-that-changed-everything/news-story/fac22d66a921a74301377d35d642bad1 |publisher=The Mercury |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030052743/https://www.themercury.com.au/news/potential-no1-pick-sam-lalor-on-his-horror-injury-run-cricket-background-and-game-that-changed-everything/news-story/fac22d66a921a74301377d35d642bad1?amp&nk=a7eed8103cc5e70132b84addb49722b1-1730266080 |archive-date=30 October 2024 |date=30 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Samuel Lalor |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=197843336&client=0-6145-80338-528389-26466199 |website=GameDay |publisher=Bacchus Marsh JFNC |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121003108/https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=197843336&client=0-6145-80338-528389-26466199 |archive-date=21 November 2024}} He attended St Patrick's College in Ballarat through year 10 in 2022, and played for the school's football team during that time.{{cite web |title=2022 Herald Sun Shield - Boys Grand Final |url=https://www.aflphotos.com.au/gallery/2022-herald-sun-shield---boys-grand-final/asset/23485611,96 |publisher=AFL Photos |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241121022927/https://www.aflphotos.com.au/gallery/2022-herald-sun-shield---boys-grand-final/asset/23485611,96 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=3 August 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Rachel |title=Rising Rebels: Why Sam Lalor could go as pick one in the AFL Draft |url=https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/8817400/gwv-rebel-sam-lalor-poised-for-afl-draft-dreams-in-2024/?cs=62 |publisher=The Wimmera Mail-Times |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121003925/https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/8817400/gwv-rebel-sam-lalor-poised-for-afl-draft-dreams-in-2024/?cs=62 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=19 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Ben |title=The young gun on the path to elite Aussie Rules and cricket career |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/the-young-gun-on-the-path-to-elite-aussie-rules-and-cricket-career/news-story/ba67622ec988b4ac0ee7371a8ef2b4e4 |website=Herald Sun |publisher=Sunbury Leader |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230827144845/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/the-young-gun-on-the-path-to-elite-aussie-rules-and-cricket-career/news-story/ba67622ec988b4ac0ee7371a8ef2b4e4?amp&nk=6441eba2e13cde1dc71597265e2a7dbc-1693147733 |archive-date=27 August 2023 |date=5 August 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Bolch |first1=Dylan |title='Got no flaws': Inside the rise of AFL's No.1 pick... a Dusty clone who's set to replace him |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2024-sam-lalor-feature-who-will-be-no1-pick-in-the-draft-richmond-to-pick-dustin-martin-clone-best-prospects-latest-news/news-story/0edf5b2f4bddee831fedcfdfd0fa03c6 |work=Fox Sports |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121023446/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2024-sam-lalor-feature-who-will-be-no1-pick-in-the-draft-richmond-to-pick-dustin-martin-clone-best-prospects-latest-news/news-story/0edf5b2f4bddee831fedcfdfd0fa03c6 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}

In 2022, at the age of 15, Lalor debuted for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the Talent League. He co-captained Vic Country in the AFL Under 16 National Championships, and was named in the tournament's All-Australian Team.{{cite news |last1=Alvarro |first1=Michael |title=Scouting Notes: 2022 AFL U16s – Vic Metro vs. Vic Country |url=https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2022/06/13/scouting-notes-2022-afl-u16s-vic-metro-vs-vic-country/ |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Rookie Me Central |issue=13 June 2022}}{{cite web |title=2022 NAB AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys All-Australian Team |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/812195/2022-nab-afl-national-development-championships-u16-boys-all-australian-team |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020228/https://www.afl.com.au/news/812195/2022-nab-afl-national-development-championships-u16-boys-all-australian-team |archive-date=12 September 2024 |date=3 August 2022}}

In addition to football, Lalor was a highly talented junior cricketer, playing as a top order batter and specialising in limited-overs formats.{{cite news |last1=Niall |first1=Jake |title=Crouching Tiger, hidden talent: Why Richmond used the No.1 pick on a kid known for smashing sixes |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/crouching-tiger-hidden-talent-why-richmond-used-the-no-1-pick-on-a-kid-known-for-smashing-sixes-20250128-p5l7ua.html |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=The Age |publisher=Nine Entertainment |date=3 February 2025}} He represented Victoria's Country region at the 2022/23 Under 17 National Championships and played with the Northcote Cricket Club Under 17s and for the club's fourth division team in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition that same summer.{{cite news |title=2022-23 U17 Male Emerging Players Program squad named |url=https://www.cricketvictoria.com.au/news/news/2022-23-u17-male-emerging-players-program-squad-named/ |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Cricket Victoria |date=26 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=U17 National Championships - Male Round 1 |url=https://play.cricket.com.au/match/a1ac62c6-32f8-40dc-a65a-853d42535f9f/vic-country-nsw-country-u17-national-championships-male?tab=scorecard |website=PlayCricket |access-date=11 April 2025}} Lalor had previously played extensive first XI cricket with Bacchus Marsh in the Gisborne & District Cricket Association, including scoring a century in January 2022 at age 15.{{cite news |title=Lalor slashes maiden century |url=https://meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/sport/lalor-slashes-maiden-century/ |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Star Weekly |date=24 January 2022}} He quit cricket to focus on football mid-way through 2023.

In 2023 Lalor moved schools, taking up a sporting scholarship to board at Geelong Grammar School, where he played for the school's cricket and football teams in the Associated Public Schools competitions.{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Lachlan |title=Footy dream develops |url=https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/themooraboolnews/news/footy-dream-develops/ |website=Times News Group |publisher=The Moorabool News |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121010806/https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/themooraboolnews/news/footy-dream-develops/ |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=27 November 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Andrew |title=Grammar gun goes at one |url=https://www.krock.com.au/local/sport/grammar-gun-goes-at-one/ |publisher=K ROCK 95.5 |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121011123/https://www.krock.com.au/local/sport/grammar-gun-goes-at-one/ |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}} Despite being a year younger than most of his teammates, Lalor was that year selected to represent Vic Country at the 2023 AFL Under 18 Championships, where he played two matches.{{cite web |title=Sam Lalor |url=https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/sam-lalor/ |publisher=Rookie Me Central |access-date=20 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922104831/https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/sam-lalor/ |archive-date=22 September 2024}} During that year he hyperextended his knee, an injury which lasted into the early months of the 2024 junior football season. Lalor spent a week with the {{AFL WB}} in the summer of 2023/24, as part of the AFL Academy Program.

Lalor was appointed the Rebels Talent League captain in 2024, but managed just four matches with side due to a range of injuries including to his hip, quad and ankle. A further injury, to his left hamstring injury ensured he missed his side's losing Talent League grand final against the Sandringham Dragons.{{cite web |last1=Chellappah |first1=Jasper |title=Sam Lalor: The powerful goalkicking midfielder likened to Dusty by his coach |url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/40515850/afl-draft-2024-sam-lalor-memories-dustin-martin-shrug-powerful-midfielder |publisher=ESPN Australia |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111084556/https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/40515850/afl-draft-2024-sam-lalor-memories-dustin-martin-shrug-powerful-midfielder |archive-date=11 November 2024 |date=10 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=LISTEN TO GETTABLE: Potential No.1 draft pick joins the show |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1223071/listen-to-gettable-potential-no1-draft-pick-joins-the-show |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121024340/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1223071/listen-to-gettable-potential-no1-draft-pick-joins-the-show |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=18 September 2024}}

Lalor kicked three goals in each of Vic Country's final two matches of the 2024 AFL Under 18 Championships.{{cite web |last1=Keating |first1=Mitch |title=AFL Draft Profile: Sam Lalor |url=https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-profile-sam-lalor-156250/ |publisher=ZeroHanger |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121022137/https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-profile-sam-lalor-156250/ |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=23 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Richmond lands on Lalor |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1694735/richmond-lands-on-lalor |publisher=Richmond Football Club |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121022406/https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1694735/richmond-lands-on-lalor |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}

File:Sam Lalor 02 050425.jpg

Lalor was selected by {{AFL Ric}} with the first overall pick in the 2024 AFL draft.{{cite web |last1=Pavlou |first1=Anna |title=From cricket to the No.1 pick: How Sam Lalor gave up the bat to become the best of the 2024 AFL Draft class |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/draft-2024-number-one-pick-sam-lalor-richmond-tigers-20241120-p5ksan.html |publisher=Nine's Wide World of Sports |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121024557/https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/draft-2024-number-one-pick-sam-lalor-richmond-tigers-20241120-p5ksan.html |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Schmook |first1=Nathan |title=Six of the best? Tigers grab gun mid with pick 1, Roos shock late |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1257161/new-tiger-king-richmond-snares-powerful-mid-sam-lalor-at-no1 |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121024143/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1257161/new-tiger-king-richmond-snares-powerful-mid-sam-lalor-at-no1 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}

In a pre-season practice match against {{AFL WC}} in mid-February 2025, Lalor suffered a fractured jaw in a marking contest collision.{{cite web |title=Richmond's Sam Lalor in doubt for round one as Tigers confirm fractured jaw after preseason match collision |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-18/sam-lalor-richmond-fractured-jaw-preseason-west-coast/104950952 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301210203/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-18/sam-lalor-richmond-fractured-jaw-preseason-west-coast/104950952 |archive-date=1 March 2025 |date=18 February 2025}} He was unable to play in Richmond's practice march against {{AFL Col}} as a result.{{cite web |title=Sam Lalor injury update |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1718081/sam-lalor-injury-update |publisher=Richmond Football Club |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228171329/https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1718081/sam-lalor-injury-update |archive-date=28 February 2025 |date=18 February 2025}} Lalor made his AFL debut in round 1 of the 2025 season, recording 18 disposals and kicking two goals in front of a crowd of 80,009 people at the MCG in a 13-point victory over {{AFL Car}}.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Martin |title=TEAMS: Recruit named, six new faces for Tigers-Blues blockbuster |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1277103 |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313101744/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1277103 |archive-date=13 March 2025 |date=12 March 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Slevison |first1=Andrew |title="No.4 reincarnated": Sam Lalor is Richmond’s second coming of Dusty |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/03/13/no-4-reincarnated-sam-lalor-is-richmonds-second-coming-of-dusty |publisher=SEN |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313213350/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/03/13/no-4-reincarnated-sam-lalor-is-richmonds-second-coming-of-dusty |archive-date=13 March 2025 |date=13 March 2025}} The effort earned Lalor a rising star nomination for round 1.{{cite web |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=Tiger's time: No.1 pick goes from broken jaw to Rising Star nom |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1281929/richmond-tigers-time-no1-pick-sam-lalor-goes-from-broken-jaw-to-telstra-afl-rising-star-nomination |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317185824/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1281929/richmond-tigers-time-no1-pick-sam-lalor-goes-from-broken-jaw-to-telstra-afl-rising-star-nomination |archive-date=17 March 2025 |date=17 March 2025}}

Lalor plays as a midfielder and forward. He is notable for his strength and handballing skills from stoppage and for his one-on-one contest strength as a forward. As a junior, his playing style was compared to those of Jordan De Goey and Christian Petracca.

Lalor's grandfather Ray Lalor played six games for {{AFL Ess}} in 1956, while the family also has relation to John O'Neill, who played 136 games for {{AFL Gee}}. His father Steve, played for Benalla in the Ovens & Murray Football League (OMFL) during the 1980s.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=KB |title='Buggsy' and the Lalor clan…a true sporting dynasty |url=https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/buggsy-and-the-lalor-clan-a-true-sporting-dynasty-by-kb-hill/ |publisher=The Footy Almanac |access-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121004420/https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/buggsy-and-the-lalor-clan-a-true-sporting-dynasty-by-kb-hill/ |archive-date=21 November 2024 |date=23 February 2023}}{{cite web |last1=McGowan |first1=Marc |title=He's tipped to go No.1, but this draft hopeful might not even be the best athlete in his family |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/he-s-tipped-to-go-no-1-but-this-draft-hopeful-might-not-even-be-the-best-athlete-in-his-family-20241117-p5krb5.html |publisher=The Age |access-date=20 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118191300/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/he-s-tipped-to-go-no-1-but-this-draft-hopeful-might-not-even-be-the-best-athlete-in-his-family-20241117-p5krb5.html |archive-date=18 November 2024 |date=18 November 2024}}

Lalor's cousin, Jordan Petaia, is a rugby union player who represented Australia at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, while another cousin, Jack Lalor, played with the Victoria cricket team's second XI in 2022 and has been a member of the Melbourne Renegades Academy program.

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Richplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}

{{Richmond player squad}}

{{AFL number one draft picks}}

{{2024 AFL national draft}}

{{2025 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lalor, Sam}}

Category:Living people

Category:2006 births

Category:Greater Western Victoria Rebels players

Category:Richmond Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:People educated at Geelong Grammar School

Category:People educated at St Patrick's College, Ballarat

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen