The Western Bulldogs are reportedly ‘disappointed’ in player agent Paul Connors’ involvement in Lachie Hunter’s off-field incident.

Hunter was handed a four-game suspension by the Western Bulldogs and relinquished his role as vice-captain after his alleged drink-driving car crash last week.

It was revealed fellow teammates Bailey Smith and Billy Gowers were involved, with Smith driving Hunter to Gowers’ South Yarra residence after the crash.

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According to veteran AFL journalist, Caroline Wilson, Hunter made contact with his manager while in the car with Smith before notifying the club.

Foxfooty.com.au has contacted Connors for comment.

“What has emerged tonight is the pivotal role Lachie Hunter’s manager Paul Connors on this dramatic night and how disappointed the club was by that role,” Wilson told Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“I think Paul has had some pretty frank discussions with the football club. No one is suggesting, as the club might have thought early on, that Paul Connors advised Bailey Smith, who he also manages, to drive Lachie Hunter to Billy Gowers’ house, who Paul Connors also manages.

“But they’re disappointed that Lachie didn’t ring the club obviously, and that he chose to ring his manager.”

Wilson also explained the club felt there had been briefings in the media, which were coming from Hunter’s manager.

“The club now believes that Paul Connors was briefing the media so they’re disappointed in that as well,” she said.

Lachie Hunter is no longer a vice-captain with the club. Photo: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

“The club have had these conversations with Paul. Their view is that Paul, while conceding that he did speak to Lachie that night, was unrepentant and was just supporting his player.”

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire also weighed in, explaining why club’s felt it was important they were the first to be told of such incidents.

“The bane of our life at football clubs, is we tell our players ‘ring us first’,” McGuire said.

“Then you can ring the manager, ring your mum and dad, you can ring whoever you want. Let us know first because we are the best people.

“I reckon it might have been a different scenario had (Bulldogs president) Peter Gordon, one of the best lawyers in Australia, had’ve got the first phone call.

“The manager can do what he needs to do, but he should (advise the player to call the club).

“You’ve got to get the club involved… eventually it’s the club that cops it.

“We start questioning the culture of clubs, our sponsors get rung by the media… It does drive people insane in football clubs.”