Scott Lucas of Essendon in action during the AFL Round 16 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the MCG. Slattery Images
After witnessing Jarrod Roughead’s eight goals against Carlton last week, Triple M’s commentators mused about where the partnership between Roughy and Buddy Franklin ranked against those of our modern era.
Thinking about it, it doesn’t seem that long ago that Essendon’s Scott Lucas formed one of the deadliest duos of our game.
Working off premier full-forward Matthew Lloyd, Lucas has booted 453 goals from 262 games and played a key role in many of the Bombers’ successes since making his debut in 1996.
The raking left-footer, equally as renowned for his dislike of a handball, has been a terrific servant of the club.
It is doubtful that he would have had as much success without Lloyd taking the opposition’s best defender every week.
But it is just as arguable that a decent chunk of Lloyd’s 901 goals wouldn’t have been possible without his partner-in-crime Lucas across half forward.
Still, that Lucas has been poor in 2009 cannot be questioned. In six games, he has booted just four goals. He’s looked rusty and woefully short on confidence.
Lucas has bounced back from injury before, but another knee injury sustained over pre-season appears to have been among his toughest.
After Essendon’s thrilling Round Three win over Carlton, the spotlight shifted from Lloyd to Lucas. Subsequent games against North Melbourne, Collingwood and Brisbane only intensified its glare.
This week, aged 31, he finds himself bereft of a spot at Essendon, with the raw Jay Neagle taking his place alongside Lloyd and co.
Lucas was offered a week off or a game with VFL affiliate Bendigo this week, and testament to the battling forward, he chose the latter.
But it still leaves Lucas in dire risk of ending his career similar to former Melbourne ruckman Jeff White, who was all-but cut adrift as the Demons’ focus shifted to youth last season.
A dual best-and-fairest winner for the club, Lucas has shown plenty of mettle to come back from serious knee injury on a number of occasions during his career.
The latest setback is hardly as physical. But it will be the difference between ending his career on a good note – as it deserves – or fading away ignominiously.
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