HIGH-profile television sports presenter Hamish McLachlan is starring in a new on-screen role, this time promoting Merino wool.
He is featured in the most recent Fibre of Football video produced in-house by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
Mr McLachlan and his father Angus are shown on the family's woolgrowing property in the eastern Adelaide Hills, South Australia, in the latest in a line of videos highlighting the many great stories behind wool and its link with Australian Rules football.
From a family long associated with growing wool, Mr McLachlan was keen to be involved in AWI's Fibre of Football campaign that has significantly lifted the profile and sales of wool amongst AFL supporters across Australia.
In the video, Hamish and Angus talk of the opportunities, freedoms and responsibilities that come with growing up on a farm and the importance of sheep and wool to the McLachlan family.
"This is the one place where I truly feel at home," Mr McLachlan said.
"We often speak about how Australia used to ride on the sheep's back and that's what our family has been lucky to do.
"Sheep and wool is an important part of our family."
The connection between wool and football is strong in the McLachlan family.
Mr McLachlan's brother Gillon is the chief executive of the AFL.
In the video he relates how his brother once locked him in a cattle crush when they were young.
"We heard your squealing after about eight minutes," his father chides him in the video.
There is clearly a strong bond between father and son as they recount the years of four boys growing up, the trials, tribulations and humour of family life on a farm.
AWI used the latest drone technology to capture footage of Merino ewes and lambs amongst gum tree-lined creeks and granite outcrops that are typical of the Adelaide Hills landscape.
The video, now on YouTube and Facebook, aired on the Channel 7 Game Day program hosted by Mr McLachlan.
Similar background videos featuring AFL champions Nat Fyfe, Luke Breust and Bernie Vince have also been shown on Channel 7.
Together with a video of Geelong champion Tom Hawkins, the Fibre of Football series has been viewed by more than 10 million times across traditional and social media platforms according to AWI.
The campaign has also been successful in promoting the link between wool and football, with sales of men's, women's and children's woollen jumpers, scarves, beanies and gloves exceeding expectations.
All AFL clubs have got behind the campaign.
