Season in short: The 22-year-old joined the Bulldogs at the end of 2014 from Geelong, and was a surprise standout in 2015. Yet to play a senior game after three years at Geelong, Hamling made his AFL debut in round nine, and played 11 games. The defender suffered an injury setback in the middle of the year, but returned in round 19 and played the remainder of the year in the senior side. His efforts in defence were a revelation, combining well with Fletcher Roberts to take on key defensive posts in the latter stages of the year. Hamling was also awarded the Chris Grant Best First Year Player at the Sutton Medal. Stat that mattered: Hamling finished the year ranked 20th in the league for one percenters per game, and 19th in the league for effective disposals per game. What they said: “It’s been really exciting, obviously to play my first game and to play 11 games and a final, it’s been a pretty good year… Coming over to a new club with new players and learning a whole new game style it’s obviously hard but I think I’ve adapted pretty well.” – Joel Hamling, September 2015 “For him to come into a new club and force himself into the team and play as a strong, key defender, some of his efforts to spoil, and play on bigger opponents, and put his body on the line, he’s really good and slotted in really well for us. There’s a lot of upside and I’m really excited about his future.” – Rohan Smith (Western Bulldogs Assistant Coach), September 2015At A Glance Junior Clubs: Cable Beach (WA)/Claremont (WAFL) Clubs: Geelong Cats Debut: Rd 9, 2015 (GWS Giants) Recruited from: Geelong Cats/Claremont (WAFL) Brownlow Votes: - The Bulldogs signed key defender Joel Hamling as a delisted free-agent in November, 2014. The 194-centimetre athletic back had previously spent three years on the senior list at the Geelong Cats. Hamling was drafted by Geelong with pick 32 in the 2011 National Draft, after an impressive combine, ranking in the elite category for both the 20 metre sprint and running vertical jump Hamling will complement the growing young group of defenders at the Kennel, and has the versatility to play forward, as shown early in his career.Player Sponsors Western Bulldogs Cheer Squad Helen Bye Flowers
