If I asked you to describe to me what type of player Jack Lukosius is, how would you do it?
Medium-sized forward?
And how about last year? How would you describe him to me 12 months ago?
Medium sized, rebounding defender?
And what about a year before that?
A decent wingman?
The fact of the matter is that Jack Lukosius’ versatility has made him expendable, whilst at the same time, making him very attractive to both South Australian clubs looking to pry him away from the Gold Coast Suns.
But what is a player of Lukosius’ standing worth in the current climate? How much should the Power or the Crows being willing to work out for a bloke that is a Jack of all Trades, and master of none?
Watching Lukosius over the past few years has been a frustrating exercise. Whether that is due to his coaches constantly shifting his focus, or his own inability to hold down a regular position, Lukosius, a former number-three pick in the draft, has promised the world to the Suns and delivered an altas.
However, in order to know where teams can go with Jack Lukosius, where need to look a little closely at where he’s been.
Originally thought of as a forward, he floundered in his rookie season, failing to snag his first goal until his fifth game, and looking immature in terms of his body shape when going up against big defenders. In fairness, he was being asked a lot. The Suns were without a genuine marking target, with Ben King on the sidelines, and it seems as though they were hoping Lukosius could step up immediately to fill that void.
They were left disappointed.
Fear not, however, as Stewey Dew was ready to swing the magnets around, and Luko was switched into defence in the back half of 2019, where he started to play a little more composed footy, with more time and space afforded him.
But the magnets didn’t stop swinging, with Lukosius finding himself as a wingman through parts of 2020 and the majority of 2021. In this role, he was able to drop back into defence, as well as run forward to use that cannon-leg of his to give the Suns a chance out the back. That his numbers of rebound and inside 50s seemingly jumped around in 2021 indicated that he was being used both offensively and defensively quite well.
In our own Robert Flower Wingman of the Year Award, Lukosius sat comfortably in the top ten for most of the season, before a move back to defence (why not, right?) saw him tumble down the rankings to finish 14th.
He started on the wing, got hurt and sat out for ten-or-so weeks, before returning to finish off a less-than-stellar year, before 2023 rolled around, Stewey decided Lukosius was a forward again.
This time, the move paid some dividends, with Luko snagging five goals in three separate games through the first 12 rounds, before tapering off. He finished with a career-high 39 goals and had many thinking that, perhaps, he had finally arrived.
With a new coach on the scene, Lukosius commenced 2024 right where he finished 2023 – up forward. However, it didn’t take Damien Hardwick long to fall in love with what Luko could provide from half-back. That lovely, long, kicking action tempted the new coach to move him back, and so Lukosius did as he was told and played a few games in defence.
And then, he was back forward again, and that’s where he remained throughout 2024, meandering through a season where I reckon he was sick to death of having no specific role at a club where he was drafted as one of the next big things.
Now, this is not a crack at the Suns. Well, it is, but it is also a crack at Lukosius. The constant moves of him around the part did nothing to create stability in terms of an ongoing role. Just when he looked settled playing somewhere, the team, or the bloke in charge of the team, at least, would decide he was required elsewhere. He became like a softer version of Isaac Heeney, who John Longmire used in a variety of roles over several years. Of course, Heeney exploded in 2024. Could we find that Lukosius does the same at some stage? Heeney does have four years on him.
So whilst Heeney has had his breakout season, Lukosius remains a big question mark in terms of what type of player he could be. And where the best place is to be that type of player.
Looking at the Port Adelaide structure, the Power have Charlie Dixon who is likely to hang the boots up before his body completely falls apart.
They have Mitch Georgiades, who is now staking his claim on the number one forward role.
They have Jeremy Finlayson, who is up and down like a bride’s nightie.
They have Todd Marshall, who looked like he was ready to take the next step in 2022, but has stepped backwards pretty rapidly since.
And they have Ollie Lord coming through, as well.
Where would Lukosius fit in that mix?
The smart money would be on him being deployed elsewhere, dependent on whether Marshall can get himself right. The kid can play, but like Lukosius, lacks strength. Can Port function with two bigger guys who don’t play to that size? Perhaps the loss of Dan Houston and the Kane Farrell for the 2024 finals series opens up eyes, as well as the possibility that Lukosius is the player the Power think they need across half-back?
Stranger things have happened.
Maybe he is Freo’s Brennan Cox, in a smaller frame? Is this where he fits into Ken Hinkley’s planning?
Over at West Lakes, news has trickled through that Taylor Walker has signed on for one more year.
You have Riley Thilthorpe, looking like he eats players like Lukosius for breakfast, and Darcy Dogarty, who has taken bigger dumps than Lukosius.
That said, and despite the fact that he will more than likely land at Port, the Crows seem like a better fit. They lack the rangy-type of forward who can lead up to the wings, and pump that footy deep inside 50. If they use either of Fog or Thilthorpe in that role, they lose a genuine marking target closer to goal. Lukosius seems to be a good fit.
So, Matthew Nicks, after giving Josh Rachele a smack on the bum and sending him to bed with no Round 24 supper, could well be looking at Lukosius as the link-man his team has been missing. What would he be willing to give up?
The Suns will want plenty, but a clear indication of Lukosius’ true value to the team was evident when he was left out of the Round 23 side. If Dimma doesn’t want him, Luko won’t be there in 2025, so the Crows should not be prepared to overpay for him.
The Crows currently sit with Pick Four (before the inevitable Ashcroft father/son selection) and the Suns are just a bit behind them at Pick Six. Gold Coast may well ask for that pick, and after the Crows stop laughing, they’ll need to work out a deal – maybe a pick swap and a future second rounder? The highest-rated SA product in the draft is Sid Draper, who is projected to go at pick seven, so the Crows could afford to drop a spot or two and still get the player they desire.
Adelaide’s next pick in 2024 is pick 27. I doubt the Suns will have much interest in that, but they may need picks later for their academy kids again. Perhaps someone like the out-of-contract Lachie Gollant could be involved? Or a three-way trade might have to be worked out,
Regardless, both Power and Crows fans should not be worried about the club offering anything great for Lukosius. Dimma has demonstrated what he’s worth to Gold Coast – you pay them that amount.
And what of Lukosius’ ceiling? What *could* he be for the Crows?
An upgraded version of Lachie Gollant? A watered-down version of Jordan Dawson? A replacement for Dan Houston? A complementary piece to the puzzle with Marshall and Georgiades?
The thing is, the jury remains out on Lukosius. He is one of those players who COULD be special, but depending on who you listen to, has not been given the opportunity and stability to become one, or has not grasped that opportunity when it has been made available.
He is the AFL’s version of a nowhere man.
Maybe he finds his place back in South Australia?
But I would not be overpaying to give him the chance.
Buyer beware. You really don’t know what you’re getting. The Suns have never figured it out.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. It is a labour of love for me, and having you guys as members of the site basically keeps me going. So sincerely… thank you – HB
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