He’s part of an exciting crop of young players at the SUNS, and now into his second year Jack Lukosius is starting to make his mark in the AFL. 

The highly-rated prospect joined the SUNS with pick 2 in the 2018 draft and played 21 games in his first season at the club.

Originally recruited as a forward, a role-change mid-season saw Lukosius finish the year in defence where he was beginning to show promise.

Now, after a full pre-season training in defence, the 19-year-old is stamping his authority on matches.

“It’s been good to settle down somewhere,” Lukosius told SUNS Media.

“I feel like I’m really growing in the position alongside the other back six.

“We’ve been a pretty tight group since we’ve come back from the COVID break and I feel like we’re building something pretty special down there.”

Lukosius is having an impressive season in his own right, averaging 15 disposals, five marks and an impressive 404 metres gained per match.

But after years of forward craft being ingrained into his psyche, Lukosius found it challenging to flip his focus to the other end of the field.

“Probably switching between when it’s time to defend really hard and when it’s time to use your offensive flair (is the challenge),” Lukosius said.

“I’m still working through that with all the coaches but I feel like I’ve got a pretty good balance at the moment and looking to keep growing my game from there.”

One of his biggest weapons is his field kick, which is possibly the most accurate at the club.

It was on display on Saturday night, when he kicked a goal from the tightest of angles to earn a Round 4 Coates Hire Goal of the Year nomination

That asset is what made him such a dangerous forward as a junior, but it also has its benefits when he finds himself rebounding out of the defensive half.

“I feel like I can be pretty damaging with my kick if I get the ball in my hands so that’s the real part of it; getting to dangerous spots and getting used,” he explained.

“The boys have been super and we’ve got plenty of other good users off there like Budders (Connor Budarick) and Harbs (Jarrod Harbrow) and Pearce (Hanley).

“All the boys use it pretty well by foot so it’s a good group to be a part of at the moment.”

The SUNS will hit the road for the first time this season, coming up against Geelong at GMHBA stadium.

Lukosius says it will be a big challenge for the team but one they were ready to embrace.

“I can’t wait,” he said.

“Obviously it’s going to be a pretty huge game.

“They’ve got a few key players with milestones so it will be a great opportunity to knock them off down there.

“If we keep bringing what we bring we’ll give ourselves every chance.”