“I’m really delighted to be at the Carlton Footy Club now…I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, so I can’t wait to get stuck into it,” Lucas told carltonfc.com.au.
Recruited from East Fremantle in the WAFL, Lucas was the Blues’ first pick in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft and admitted that the long lead-up to the Draft made him a touch nervous.
“We got on the plane at 6 o’clock from WA, got in here at about 12 o’clock and just tried to keep busy and keep the mind off it. The last two hours stretched out a bit but I was really happy with the way it ended,” he said.
“I was a little bit nervous, but anyone who gives me an opportunity I am just grateful for… I’m just delighted to be with the Carlton Football Club, I think there is a lot of youth there, they’ll be rising up the ladder soon and I am really excited.”
Although joining Carlton from interstate, Lucas is well aware of where the Carlton Football Club sits in the AFL landscape.
“Obviously (Carlton has) a very rich history here in Melbourne, one of the oldest clubs - very successful, great leadership group, guys like Juddy and the three number one draft picks,” he said.
Lucas describes himself as a versatile midfielder who can drift forward or go down back, a player who “likes to get the ball a bit, use my pace and endurance and yeah, kick goals”.
Carlton’s National Recruiting Manager, Wayne Hughes, was thrilled to snare Lucas with the Blues’ first selection.
“We picked Kane for his ball-reading ability in the middle, reading of the play and good use of the ball,” Hughes said.
“He’s smart in traffic and his athletic abilities give him the ability to play midfield rotation. He’s quick, with good agility, good spring, and is just an all-round good package for us.”
Exclusive interview with Kane Lucas minutes after he was drafted to Carlton
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Match highlights of Carlton's pick 12 - Kane Lucas
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