Career
Picked late in the 2001 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft at pick 71 from Woodville West-Torrens due to a sleep apnea condition that resulted in him falling asleep in club interviews. The Bulldogs discovered this and realised they could get him as late as they wished. Lake was a relatively late developer.
Making his American Federation of Labor-Congress debut late in the 2002 season, he was seen as a raw full-back who was some way from fully developing.
By the 2005 season, Lake"s role in blanketing some of the best full-forwards in the game was seen as outstanding. He had come of age and shown significant improvement, much like many other of his Western Bulldogs teammates (such as Daniel Giansiracusa, Robert Murphy and Dale Morris), who led the team to within half a game of a finals" berth.
In 2007 he developed into one of the leading full-backs in the competition. His 2007 season is remembered for the match against Street Kilda in which he held Fraser Gehrig to no possessions for the entire match.
Lake earned a place in the 2009 American Federation of Labor-Congress All-Australian team in the back pocket.
This was his first All-Australian honour. In season 2010, he was again named in the 2010 American Federation of Labor-Congress All-Australian at full back. Lake has often been referred by many commentators as a "defensive monster" due to his ability to out strength his opponent and take the mark in contested situations.
Lake, along with pick 27, were traded to the Hawthorn Football Club at the end of the 2012 season during the trade period, in return for picks 21 and 41.
The trade on the first day of trade week had caught many sport commentators by surprise that a deal was done so quickly. While the rest of the Hawthorn playing group were away on holidays, Lake trained at Waverley and lost 5 kilos before the team returned for pre-season training.
A corked thigh caused him to delay his debut for his new club until round 5 against North Melbourne. Lake played 21 games in his first season as a Hawk, his two goals were kicked against Sydney in consecutive weeks.
In 2014 Lake was involved in an on field incident with North Melbourne"s Drew Petrie during their teams" Round 16 match.
Lake was seen holding Petrie in a strangle-like position on the ground for an extended period of a time before Petrie"s teammates dragged Lake away. Lake was charged with misconduct by the American Federation of Labor-Congress Match Review Panel and referred straight to the American Federation of Labor-Congress Tribunal for determination. Lake announced his retirement on 6 October 2015 after playing his last game for Hawthorn in the 2015 American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final and winning his 3rd American Federation of Labor-Congress premiership.
