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Punchy Bassett
Brownlow Medallist
I'm not giving up much for him, he just got dropped!
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Could we possibly be thinking playing Thilthorpe as FT RuckAdelaide is making a bold play to bring South Australian Jack Lukosius home.
It is understood Crows coach Matthew Nicks met the 24-year-old swingman on the Gold Coast last week as the club attempts to pull off its third major recruiting raid in four years.
Lukosius, who was drafted from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens with pick 2 at the 2018 AFL national draft, is contracted for two more seasons, but could be gettable after appearing to fall out of favour at the Suns.
The 195cm key utility was dropped from the Gold Coast team for last Saturday’s round 22 clash against Essendon for the first time in his 115-game, 77-goal career.
One of his key forward line replacements, Mac Andrew, kicked four goals, including the matchwinner after the final siren, while other key forwards Ben King (three goals) and Jed Walter (two) booted five majors between them.
Lukosius, though highly rated, could be available for trade as the Suns attempt to balance their books to bring triple premiership-winning Richmond playmaker Daniel Rioli to the club to reunite with his Tigers flag coach Damien Hardwick.
Rioli had a career-high 36 disposals against the Saints on Sunday and won’t come cheaply.
Jack Lukosius was dropped for the first time in his career last week. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos
The Crows swooped on captain Jordan Dawson from Sydney in the 2021 trade period and, a year later, grabbed Izak Rankine from the Suns.
Rankine was taken one spot below Lukosius at the 2018 draft.
Lukosius, who has kicked 60 goals in the past two seasons for Gold Coast, has been on the Crows’ radar ever since he was drafted, but speculation has increased in recent weeks that he could become available in this year’s exchange period.
Former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins said on SEN last week that he believed Lukosius is “less than a 50 per cent chance” to be at the Suns next season.
Lukosius is believed to be happy on the Gold Coast and enjoys the laidback lifestyle of being a footballer in the Sunshine State.
He signed a four-year contract extension midway through 2022, saying “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”.
But after being moved all around the ground by Hardwick – and now being dropped –Lukosius, who has a preference to play forward, is almost certain to have questioned his position at the club.
Adelaide could only watch on in 2018 as Gold Coast pounced on two of the most-highly-touted junior products to ever come out of SA with its first two picks of the national draft.
Lukosius went first, the Suns taking the Henley High School product with the second overall selection after Carlton drafted midfielder Sam Walsh with pick 1.
A generational key forward with running patterns out of Nick Riewoldt’s playbook was a pre-draft assessment of Lukosius, who booted four goals in his SANFL league debut as a 17-year-old in a preliminary final against Sturt.
Rankine went next.
The kid, who some say is the most talented player the state has produced, was running rings around men at 16, and capped off his SANFL career with three goals and 12 score involvements before being drafted.
What happened after that has been pulled apart ever since.
After Port Adelaide took future captain Connor Rozee at pick 5, the Crows drafted Chayce Jones (pick 9) and Ned McHenry (16) in the first round.
But forget that for the moment – it’s not about them now.
It’s about what might happen next.
Is the ending to the movie the Crows were forced to watch about to be completely rewritten?
First, Adelaide took back Rankine in a 2022 trade.
Will the Crows flip the script completely and reunite the pair this year?
Then there’s the other question, what’s he worth?
Lukosius made things look easy at junior level and, at times, he still does – that laconic, yet text book, kicking action can be irresistible.
But he’s been called out for taking things too easy during his time on the Gold Coast, with Fox Footy’s David King taking aim at Lukosius’ defensive efforts last year.
“You know why he’s a whipping boy? Because he puts in efforts like this. This destroys any form of culture you have at your footy club,” King said of Lukosius’ decision not to chase Bomber Nic Martin in round 2.
“It makes me wonder: Is Jack the sickness or the cure? Is he there to correct this problem and take this club forward? He’s on big money and he’s been a high draft pick and all those things, but in the end, you act your way in and out of a footy club.”
It’s that competitiveness that might make a potential suitor think twice.
But at 195cm, his skill set is rare.
“Jack’s a very special talent,” long-time AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said before that draft.
He wouldn’t command anything near the selection he was taken with, but it would be hard for both SA clubs not to be, at least, interested.
The Power’s list is in a very different spot, compared to its cross-town rival.
Does it need another lead-up forward alongside Todd Marshall? Probably not.
But add Lukosius’ strengths to any contender, and it probably makes them better, especially if you’re a contender that loses Dan Houston’s kicking off half-back, given he has been linked with a return back to Victoria.
With the Crows building its next-gen forward line around Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty, Lukosius might be the icing on the cake as the third tall at West Lakes in the post-Taylor Walker era – whenever that comes.
Throw in potential father-son selection Tyler Welsh and Crows fans would be excited about the club’s attacking future.
But what’s the asking price?
Or, more poignantly, what is another club willing to pay?
It depends. Are you paying for the 24-year-old, 39-goal forward from 2023 or the guy dropped by a team out of the finals race?
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – in a footy sense.
Geez, I hope not. TT our match winning big mark clunking forward with excellent conversion adds most value IMOCould we possibly be thinking playing Thilthorpe as FT Ruck
Luko, FOG, and Welsh in the forward line
Reckon RT’s shown in recent weeks that his 200cm+ presence in the forward line is heavily required, especially next to Fog, who’s on the shorter sideCould we possibly be thinking playing Thilthorpe as FT Ruck
Luko, FOG, and Welsh in the forward line
No current season stats available
Until we played Andy Otten in the GF for compassionate reasonsWhy can't we go 4 talls?
TT, FOG, Walker, Luko, Rachele, Keys - (Murph/Pedlar) rotating through.
We went 4 talks in 2016/2017 with Jenkins, Walker, Lynch and McGovern and that worked out pretty damn well.
Comments section on The Tiser always good for a laugh
Let’s get Charlie to negotiate Luko for us. He’ll do the deal on day 1 so we can move to bigger thingsCharlie
22 minutes ago
This years and next years first picks willl be needed but worth it
The “good for a laugh” caveat was provided haha. Anything else “worthy” of a laugh I will add in alsoLet’s get Charlie to negotiate Luko for us. He’ll do the deal on day 1 so we can move to bigger things
Dropped as being traded (or likely being traded) seems pretty obvious to me as soon as not named in EITHER side and not injured last weekendI'm not giving up much for him, he just got dropped!
1 hour agoComments section on The Tiser always good for a laugh - don’t think any issue posting these? (Feel free to delete if there is)
The guru 👁
15 minutes ago
Lukosius worth about pick 25 or so.
That is all
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My Two Cents Worth
16 minutes ago
He's not worth pick 4, but certainly worth more than pick 39 (power) or 42 (crows). And let's not forget....he's still contracted by the Suns so they don't have to let him go if they're not happy with the price.
I'd say a late 1st round or early 2nd round pick is where he'd land.
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Always Red
20 minutes ago
If hes as great as Jordan Dawson, grab him!
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Charlie
22 minutes ago
This years and next years first picks willl be needed but worth it
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John
20 minutes ago
Charlie they want Rioli, make a deal
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Cass
24 minutes ago
Good replacement for Tex. And can play back if we need. Good team man.
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Mike
33 minutes ago
I think the point that he likes a laid back lifestyle explains why he has not fulfilled his potential. Give him a miss. If they move higher than 4th pick and miss Sid Draper because of it, they have rocks in their head. Too much focus on Welsh. He starred at junior levels until he came up against the best in the U18 championship and was hardly sighted. Also not standing out at sanfl (where Sid Draper is)
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Chris
36 minutes ago
Crows have a second round pick this year. Done.
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Dylan
39 minutes ago
He enjoys the laidback nature of footy up there, but its to the detriment of his game.
No pressure up there, no one cares, which means win or lose nothing changes. All the players who've left the Suns have gone on to be better players.
I still think he stays, but of the 2 clubs I would think Adelaide go harder for him
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2
John
47 minutes ago
Smart move Adelaide Quality young man not reached his Prime *
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Bruce13
54 minutes ago
Was Lukosius dropped because he met with Nicks during the week???
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Emma
56 minutes ago
Lukosius is a key position player by height only, has neither the tenacity nor aggression needed as a key tall. Would make a very good third forward, but I would be really careful about overpaying.
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Robert
1 hour ago
Haven't got the draft picks or players the Suns need so it will take a third club, e.g. Himmelberg to the Giants, who give the Suns 'something' and we get Lukosius. He then needs to find some grunt because at the moment his laconic approach makes him appear disinterested when things get tough.
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Shane
1 hour ago
Himmelberg is a free agent, so that would not work.
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Mmclean
1 hour ago
Adelaide also have Melbournes 2nd round pick
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David
1 hour ago
Well he is a gun so will come to the Crows. Port only pick up second hand rejects.
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A
48 minutes ago
Crom + Lukosius = big improvement next year. I hope nicksy is setting big goals! Bottom 6 is within reach
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Ros
1 hour ago
Who knows, they might even soar to 14th next year.
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Rosemary
1 hour ago
a very good footballer. good news
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Ian
1 hour ago
Crows aren't short of tall forwards, a big bodied mid is what we need.
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No current season stats available
Mate that’s absolutely right. That day at The G….windy wintery day already, very tricky swirling breeze and then an oversized fwd line….not smartUntil we played Andy Otten in the GF for compassionate reasons
One of the main reasons we lost
Is that you man?1 hour ago
Himmelberg is a free agent, so that would not work.
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I have it on pretty good authority Lukosius hates playing in defence. He'll nominate whichever club can best sell him a role in the forward-line.With Taylor Walker’s career winding down and the scattered glimpses shown by Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty, there would be scope for Lukosius to assert himself in that forward-line. Alternatively, he could again be swung into defence to play a rebounding role.
![]()
Trade period secret behind AFL’s largest rise; why Fly’s SCG whinge was spot on — Talking Points
‘Beautiful-looking bust’ without a home; looming trade must be ignored to save Dees: Talking Ptswww.foxsports.com.au
Yeah I have changed my tune on this.Reckon RT’s shown in recent weeks that his 200cm+ presence in the forward line is heavily required, especially next to Fog, who’s on the shorter side
Luko as a KPF isn’t the answer (fine as a 3rd tall or HF/wing), and we don’t even know if Welsh will come on yet, we have to treat him as a bonus rather than rely on him
Scattered glimpses?, he struggles to get to 14 possessions per game - massive fail apparentlyWith Taylor Walker’s career winding down and the scattered glimpses shown by Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty, there would be scope for Lukosius to assert himself in that forward-line. Alternatively, he could again be swung into defence to play a rebounding role.
![]()
Trade period secret behind AFL’s largest rise; why Fly’s SCG whinge was spot on — Talking Points
‘Beautiful-looking bust’ without a home; looming trade must be ignored to save Dees: Talking Ptswww.foxsports.com.au
3 club tradeI have it on pretty good authority Lukosius hates playing in defence. He'll nominate whichever club can best sell him a role in the forward-line.
You would think that satisfied both Richmond and GC and we are about par3 club trade
rioli to suns
luko to crows
1st round suns to tigers
2nd round crows to tigers
done done and done
Why can't we go 4 talls?
TT, FOG, Walker, Luko, Rachele, Keys - (Murph/Pedlar) rotating through.
We went 4 talks in 2016/2017 with Jenkins, Walker, Lynch and McGovern and that worked out pretty damn well.
Walker will be managed in 2025, I cant imagine him playing the majority of the season.Not sure thinking about 4 talls matters too much when Walker is so close to retirement
hopefully richmond does not get greedy and ask for 2 1st.....You would think that satisfied both Richmond and GC and we are about par
Difference is Melbourne didn't take on $700K contract since we actually wanted to keep McAdam and offered him a new contract.had a VERY quick look at last years trades and noticed Melb gave us R2 pick for McAdam.
Surely Luko is worth more than him. More potential, younger, better output.
My prediction is we need to move some picks around to get a pick around 16-22 for him.\
This shouldn't require our pick 4/5 hopefully.
I think we still hold that Melb pick (currently 28 according to the draft order in BF).
Bit of a pick shuffle on top of that pick might get it done?
Yeah ok that might tip it back a bitDifference is Melbourne didn't take on $700K contract since we actually wanted to keep McAdam and offered him a new contract.
McAdam was a first 22 player, at least he was with ushad a VERY quick look at last years trades and noticed Melb gave us R2 pick for McAdam.
Surely Luko is worth more than him. More potential, younger, better output.
My prediction is we need to move some picks around to get a pick around 16-22 for him.\
This shouldn't require our pick 4/5 hopefully.
I think we still hold that Melb pick (currently 28 according to the draft order in BF).
Bit of a pick shuffle on top of that pick might get it done?
Barely.McAdam was a first 22 player, at least he was with us