NEXT ROOEY THE NEXT NO.1 PICK
JON RALPH reports ...
NICK Riewoldt clone Jack Lukosius has been declared the best junior prospect in 15 years after another stunning display at the weekend.
As clubs begin to assess their likely draft positions, recruiters have South Australian Lukosius, 17, the clear No.1 pick.
The 194cm centre half-forward gave them another reminder with 159 ranking points, 17 disposals, 14 marks, four goals and five inside-50 marks for SA in the national championships.
He kicked four goals in his senior SANFL debut in a preliminary final for Woodville-West Torrens last year, and is equally capable on a wing or at centre half-back.
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said yesterday Lukosius was “special with a capital S”, similar to Riewoldt but with a more fluent kicking action.
One AFL recruiter said yesterday the 194cm key-position player, 18 in August, was a once-in-a-generation player.
“He is the best I have seen in 15 years,” he said.
“We saw in a trial early on in the year he played as a key defender, then at halftime put him to the wing and he was just as dominant. He plays senior footy for the Eagles as a key forward. There is so much upside to his game.”
Carlton, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast are all chances to have the No. 1 pick.