An All Australian under 18 full back, it surprised many that Lucy was still available when Essendon took him with selection 66.
“I didn’t really expect anything, I just wanted to go somewhere. Just to be picked up, I was ecstatic,” Lucy explained. “I originally wanted to stay in Queensland with my family, but if it wasn’t there I definitely wanted to come to Essendon as my dad has supported them all of his life.”
Standing at 192cm and weighing 90kg, Lucy made the move to Melbourne and while he has fitted in well, he has quickly realised the realities of AFL football.
“It hasn’t been hard on the personal side, everyone has been really welcoming and friendly, but it has been a big step up in the skills and the fitness,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Development coach David Harding has watched Lucy’s progress closely over the past five years and isn’t surprised that he has found his way onto an AFL list.
“He is quick a good learner and a terrific person. He is very mature for his age and he has always been that way. He is a flexible kid with a good head on his shoulders. We picked him because he is an athlete and he has taken it from there,” Harding explained.
“He is a very good defensive player with his speed and he is very fit, but his kicking is the area he needs to improve if he wants to take his game to the next level.”
Aware of his strengths and weakness, Lucy remains realistic about what season 2006 holds.
“I think I am pretty versatile, I am a good build and have good speed and endurance, which is a good combination for my size. I think I can add a lot to the team in that third tall department and then a key position when I get a bit older and more mature, but I think I have the athletic ability for AFL,"" he said.
“I definitely need to work on my build if I want to play in a key position and the ability to win one on one contests.
“It is a goal of mine hopefully just to play one game of seniors this year, but I don’t really expect too much. It's sort of about getting your body and mind set right for the next year but to get any experience would be greatly appreciated.”
