Henderson growing in confidence after round one false start

Young Lion Lachie Henderson’s lead up to his 2022 league debut was the stuff of dreams that turned sour very quickly.

Having graduated from the colts in 2020 and toiling away in the reserves during 2021, the backman felt he had a good lead up into the season having dealt with injury concerns in previous years.

After impressing during pre-season, Henderson was all set to play in round one in the Grand Final rematch against South Fremantle.

“I went to the team meeting on the Thursday before round one, and I got the congratulations,” he recalled.

“My name was called and I was going to debut.”

However in 2022, nothing was ever guaranteed, and the dream disappeared in the short term after Henderson tested positive for COVID-19 the following day.

He said he needed to work even harder to earn his spot in the side.

“When I got the congratulations from everyone, I thought I’d made it,” he said.

“Being so close and then being pulled away was pretty disappointing, but I just had to get back to work and put my name forward.”

The Carine product started his junior career off in the midfield and in the ruck, before moving to the backline during his time in the colts side.

It was there he became a premiership player, a member of the side that won the 2020 Grand Final.

He said the desire to go on to play league football had always sat with him.

“I’d always wanted to play league football for Subiaco,” Henderson said.

“It’s been a good experience, and especially the club developing a few younger players has been good to see.”

The 20-year-old made his debut in round seven this year against Peel Thunder, where he admitted his direct opponent in AFL-listed Docker Josh Treacy got the better of him.

“The first game was tough, it was a step up,” he said.

“I felt like when I came up against Jonathon Marsh, that was the first game where I held my own.

“From then on, I feel like I’ve been building and getting more confidence in myself.”

Henderson is helping fill the void left by the injury to vice-captain Jordan Lockyer, playing on the key forwards of the opposition.

He said Lockyer has been important for his own development.

“You can hear him from the sidelines yelling out what I need to do,” Henderson said.

“We’ll have one on ones where he’ll tell me where to fix my game, like resetting quicker or helping my teammates out.

“He’s been a real mentor for me.”

With five games to go for the Lions, Henderson is still hoping to fulfill dreams in 2022 and beyond

He said he’s hoping to be a part of a few more wins to finish the season, and in doing so helping cement his spot in Subiaco’s side for many years to come.