Lachlan Hansen awoke on draft day in 2006 completely unaware North Melbourne was planning on selecting him at pick number three.

Regarded as one of the best key players of his junior year, he was in high demand.

“I remember the night before the draft, I’d changed my number,” Hansen told NMFC.com.au.

“Apparently Laids (Dean Laidley) and everyone had been trying to ring me the night before and saying they were going to pick me if I was there.

“They were like, ‘have you changed your number?’ and I was like, ‘actually I did change my number’, and they said they’d been trying to ring me the last 24 hours.”

Such a story encapsulates Hansen’s laid-back attitude and personality.

It came in handy during his draft year, when a debate raged over whether it was he or Scott Gumbleton as the most impactful key-position player of 2006.

“I remember just before we played WA (Western Australia) in the Under 18’s game, Leon Harris (Vic Country coach) said you’ll play on Gumby and we’ll see who the best is,” Hansen chuckled.

“That was the only time I ever played on him (Gumbleton). He was pretty unlucky with his hamstrings, because he was a really good player back in the Under 18’s.

“I didn’t really listen to too much of (the debate), I was pretty cruisy back then and I still am now. So I just go with the flow and whatever happens, happens. ”

North’s selection of Hansen at three enabled him to stay in Victoria, a development he believed wasn’t going to happen with Brisbane showing serious interest.

Arriving at Arden St for the 2007 season, Hansen was immediately dropped into a sea of moving parts.

Not only did North’s long-term future look uncertain, the youngster himself had to deal with living up to expectations. It was one of the few times where his usual personality deserted him.

“If you think too much about being a high pick, it’ll do your head in,” Hansen explained.

“And in my first couple of years I only played 11 or 12 games, I probably thought about it a little bit. It was probably affecting me, the way other players were playing every week and I’d only play a few games.

“I had a word with a couple of the coaches to just ignore all of that and just concentrate on what they say. It probably helped me to do what I do, just go back and play footy and not worry about anything else.”

But it was in that first season – and only his third game – the Roo experienced what he still rates as a career highlight.

It came after a completely unexpected promotion.

“Our twos in 2007 were in Tassie. I played Round 1 and 2 in the AFL, then played the next 20 games for Tassie,” Hansen said.

“Tassie had stopped playing for the last month, so I hadn’t played a game for four weeks.

“We got flogged in the first final against Geelong and I think Laids decided we needed to make a change.

“When Laids told me, I hadn’t played in the AFL since Round 2, but I wasn’t going to say no!”

Typically of Hansen, his number one memory of an ‘unreal’ night involves one of his teammates.

“I just remember Azza (Aaron Edwards) took the biggest hanger of all time right in front of me. You can see me in the photo too.

“I don’t think I did anything, only had four or five touches, but it was good to be out there, play a final, and I’ll remember that game forever.”

Hansen admitted right up until about 18 months ago, that victory against Hawthorn would have rated as his number one highlight.

The 2015 Elimination Final against Richmond shot to the top of the list, after a comeback win in front of more than 90,000 people.

“At the start of that game, they (the Tiger fans) were so loud doing their theme song,” Hansen said.

“Then they kicked the first couple and I thought oh no, but then we got composed and after half time it was so fun.

“The feeling after that game was unbelievable because I didn’t get to play in the year before against Essendon and Geelong.”

The 28-year-old will line up for his 150th game on Friday night against the Saints.

While injuries have played a role during his career, there’s no doubting Hansen’s value to the team.

He’s spent time as a key defender and key forward, with his outstanding ability to read the flight of the ball a trait many players can only dream of.