AFL News: Gillon McLachlan says Lachie Henderson's decision is 'unnecessary and undisciplined'

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan slammed Carlton Football Club’s departing Lachie Henderson, calling the Blues forward’s trade request “undisciplined.” Henderson told Carlton this week he would no longer play with the club this year and wants to be traded before the end of the season.

McLachlan was upset about Henderson’s decision to go somewhere else, with still three rounds remaining in Carlton’s match calendar. The AFL CEO said he has no idea why players like Henderson feels he has the need to declare an NRL style free-for-all, labelling the forward’s actions as “unnecessary,” The Age reported.

"I really don't like him saying he wants to go somewhere else three rounds to go. It's unnecessary, it's undisciplined, and I've got no idea why people feel the need to do it," McLachlan told 3AW.

Carlton has decided to sit Henderson out for the final three games of the season after the 25-year-old forward told the club on Thursday about his intention to leave. Carlton’s interim coach John Barker said the rationale behind Henderson sitting out the team’s remaining game is to ensure he does not suffer an injury that would damage his trade value.

Barker also said that Carlton’s decision was fairly easy, given Henderson’s poor performances due to his future’s uncertainty. Barker revealed that Henderson was aware the team could not keep on playing him in the seniors, adding that Henderson has lost the value of playing every AFL game at Carlton.

Henderson appears Geelong-bound after requesting a trade from the Blues. Geelong has been eyeing Henderson throughout 2015 and Carlton are well aware that the footy player is expected to join the Cats, since he lives in Birregurra near Geelong.

Meanwhile, Henderson claimed that he would have liked to play out the season with Carlton, but admitted his form was probably not good enough. The Blues forward confessed the decision to walk away from his club was because of his pursuit of happiness and footy success.

“I am definitely disappointed (not to be playing out the season). I would have liked to have played it out with the boys,” Henderson said, reports Fox Sports.

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