Essendon champion Scott Lucas says Josh Begley needs another strong performance this weekend if he’s to earn a spot in the Bombers round one line-up.
Begley booted four goals against Gold Coast in the second week of the JLT Community Series.
He’ll have another chance to impress when the Bombers take on Geelong on Sunday in Bendigo before the attention turns to the round one blockbuster against Hawthorn.
“I’d say he’d be a 50-50 chance,” Lucas told the Friday Footy Panel.
“It would be hard to keep him out if he’s strong again.
“But it’s also very difficult for a young player to back up and have that sort of performance again.
“He’s still finding his feet.
“What he does have is a mature body that would allow him to compete early on in the season in an AFL game.”
The Bombers drafted Begley with the 31st overall pick in last November’s National Draft.
Begley was playing local football this time last year before he was drafted into the Eastern Ranges squad early in the season.
He booted 14 goals in his first three games and ended the season averaging 17 possessions (nine contested) and almost two goals a game in 15 appearances.
“He hasn’t been through the pathways or the traditional path that the boys take of playing a couple of years of TAC Cup football and then the [under 18] Championships,” Lucas said.
“He played great footy and as the year went on he was well known to all recruiters and I think he was met and greeted by many clubs and the Bombers were lucky enough to be able to read his name out.
“I think his scope for improvement as a result of not going through the pathways is incredible.”
Key position players have dominated Essendon’s goal kicking honour board over the last 16 years, with only Stewart Crameri and Angus Monfries bucking the trend.
Lucas said medium sized forwards that can kick goals but also apply defensive pressure are crucial elements in today’s game.
“What you need all of your forwards to be is relevant… by that I mean, able to hit the scoreboard,” he said.
“If you can’t hit the scoreboard your opposition very quickly realises that and they’ll look to rebound off or pay you less respect… they’ll lay off and become an intercept player.
“If you can keep your opponent occupied it gives separation to the other forwards, creates lots of one-on-ones and then you get a chance to hit the scoreboard, which Begley can do.
“That player that can kick 50 goals but is hard to label as a player, is he a tall or a small … he does a little bit of everything.
“Then the defensive pressure they can add is very important. If you’re a medium size target that can put great pressure on and kick goals, you’re a very important player.”
Best goal kicking returns by a small/mid-sized forwards
2016: Orazio Fantasia (29) - Overall winner: Joe Daniher (43)
2015: Dyson Heppell (13) – Overall winner: Joe Daniher (34)
2014: Paul Chapman (22) – Overall winner: Joe Daniher (28)
2013: Stewart Crameri (30) – Overall winner: Stewart Crameri (30)
2012: Stewart Crameri (32) – Overall winner: Stewart Crameri (32)
2011: Stewart Crameri (34) – Overall winner: Stewart Crameri (34)
2010: Angus Monfries (24) – Overall winner: Angus Monfries (24)
2009: Angus Monfries (25) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (35)
2008: Brent Stanton (18) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (62)
2007: Mark McVeigh (20) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (62)
2006: Angus Monfries (22) – Overall winner: Scott Lucas (67)
2005: Mark Johnson (29) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (59)
2004: Justin Murphy (24) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (96)
2003: Damian Cupido (39) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (93)
2002: Paul Barnard (23) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (47)
2001: Blake Caracella (25) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (105)
2000: Blake Caracella (35) – Overall winner: Matthew Lloyd (109)
