Lucey’s still keen to make his mark in AFL
FORMER Geelong rookie Padraig Lucey still remains hopeful of one day playing AFL.
The Irish experiment, who made his name on the reality television series The Recruit, has been building form for Newtown & Chilwell in the GFL after being delisted by the Cats at the end of last season.
But the 24-year-old still harbours ambitions to return to an AFL list after spending two years at Geelong.
“That’s always there, I always wanted to play AFL, that’s why I’m here,” Lucey said.
“That’s the goal and I’m really enjoying my footy at GFL, I’m still working on my game so hopefully I can keep improving and maybe someone can pick me up eventually.”
Lucey admitted he has had to handle a bit of sledging at local level, but is big enough to shake it off.
“I cop a bit, but I’m well able to look after myself, I’m a big boy now,” he quipped.
“I don’t mind it, it’s all part of the game. When I first came over, sledging was something to get used to, but I know it comes with the game and I like to give a fair bit back myself, even if they don’t understand me.”
Lucey knocked back VFL offers to sign at the Eagles after the club helped him overcome some visa troubles in the off-season.
And the 203cm ruckforward said he hadn’t looked back, improving as the season deepened.
“I think the first three or four games weren’t very good, but over the last four I reckon I’ve got some good form and I’m really hoping to improve every week,” Lucey said.
“I want a bit more out of myself but I’m actually finding it a bit hard to follow the play. I’ve learned the game from VFL football and it moves so fast, and it just seems to break down a lot more and be a lot slower, but it’s something I’ve adapted to.
“Hopefully the second half of the season I can bring some good form and help our team get to the position we want to get to.”
Lucey paid credit to the Eagles’ young brigade who have helped to lift the club’s form in the last month.
Narrow wins over Grovedale and North Shore culminated in last week’s draw to second-placed St Mary’s.
“Improvement is the big thing from the first two or three weeks of the year; we weren’t very good and weren’t executing what we wanted to execute,” Lucey said.
“But the last couple of games have been excellent and the Mary’s game last Saturday was a real good test for us. “I think we stood up, and maybe it was one that might have got away from us slightly, but improvement is the main thing and hopefully we can take a step forward and improve another step this Saturday (against Bell Park).”