After a 14 year career, Essendon veteran Scott Lucas, 31 has announced his retirement from AFL, effective immediately at Windy Hill early this morning alongside coach Matthew Knights.
At this morning’s announcement Lucas said that he had spoken to Knights throughout the season and the time is now right to hang up the boots.
At the end of the 2008 Season, Lucas had a knee operation which caused him to have limited preparation for the 2009 Season. He played the first 6 games for the Bombers this year, but after not kicking a goal between Rounds 4-6, he was dropped to the VFL side for the next 4 games. He was then re-called back into the seniors in Round 11.
His last match for Essendon was in Round 18 against West Coast, where he went goaless for the fifth time this year. During the past 2 weeks he has not been in the team with what is reported to be knee soreness.
Lucas was recruited in the 1994 National AFL Draft as Essendon’s 1st Round Selection. He was Number 4 overall traded by Fremantle for Tony Delany. Lucas didn’t debut till two years later in 1996 in the second ever ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood.
He will retire after 270 AFL games to his name; in 2003 he was the Bombers equal club best and fairest. In 2006 he was the winner of the award and in 2007 he finished equal third. He was also a member of Essendon’s 2000 Premiership side. In the Bombers premiership loss to the Brisbane Lions in 2001 he kicked 4 goals. As a strong forward player he kicked a total of 471 goals across his 270 games.
Unfortunately for Bombers fans, with Essendon trying to maintain their position in finals for the season, Matthew Knights will find it too hard to fit Lucas into the side for a farewell match. Knights has been pushing hard with his young tall players in Cale Hooker, Tayte Pears, Michael Hurley and Paddy Ryder.
Therefore Lucas’ final match will be remembered in the Bombers Round 18 clash against the Eagles.
Tags: Matthew Knights, Scott Lucas
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