Fate draws mates Connor Rozee and Jack Lukosius back together again
They are supposed to be on opposite sides of the country but for the first time in 18 months, Connor Rozee and Jack Lukosius are back on home soil kicking the football together.
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They are supposed to be on opposite sides of the country but for the first time in 18 months Connor Rozee and Jack Lukosius are back on home soil kicking the football together.
The former South Australian junior teammates and top-five 2018 draft picks, who should be preparing for Port Adelaide and Gold Coast’s round six Anzac Round encounters against the Bulldogs and Giants respectively, have unexpectedly linked up again in Adelaide because of the AFL shutdown due to COVID-19.
They are living just a stone’s throw away from each other in the western suburbs at Grange and in the past month have joined forces to keep their skill and fitness levels up.
Dynamic Power utility Rozee has just bought his first house while tall Suns utility Lukosius is staying at his family home before he is recalled to Queensland for training.
“It’s a bit weird catching up for a kick in these circumstances, when we’re supposed to be well and truly into a football season,’’ said Rozee, who was runner-up for the AFL Rising Star award in his rookie season last year.
“It’s great to be able to spend some time with Jack, have a little run around and catch up with a good mate because we don’t get to see too much of each other during the year.
“But it is weird sitting at home so much and at this time of the year feeling that you’re back in pre-season mode.’’
Woodville-West Torrens product Lukosius is the last remaining Sun in Adelaide – teammate and fellow 2018 top-five draft pick Izak Rankine has returned to Queensland – and said he was trying to make the most of a rare opportunity to spend time with family and friends.
“It’s strange how much circumstances have changed in the past few weeks – I didn’t think I’d be back in Adelaide for a while – so I am trying to make the best of the scenario,’’ he said.
“It’s good to be home with the family and to see Connor and kick the footy with him.
“We don’t get too many opportunities to do that anymore, so it’s a bit of a bonus.’’
The under-16 and under-18 AFL national championship-winning teammates were among three South Australians selected in the top five at the 2018 national draft.
Lukosius went to Gold Coast at pick two, Rankine to the Suns at No. 3 and Rozee to Port at No. 5.
Rozee had bragging rights in the only AFL round played so far this season when the Power beat Gold Coast by 47 points at Metricon Stadium in round one.
After being the Power’s leading goalkicker in his standout debut season with 29, Rozee spent more time in the midfield in the opening round and starred with 21 disposals and a goal.
He is eyeing more midfield time when football resumes.
“It was pleasing to be able to get in the midfield more and hold my own, so hopefully we get back playing soon and I can look to become more established in there,’’ said Rozee, 20.
“I’ve built my tank up more this year and worked on my midfield craft, so that’s my goal.’’
Rozee is so talented that Crows great Mark Ricciuto claims he could be the AFL’s best player in five years.
“He’s got speed, agility, he’s clean, has a good leap, can kick goals, he’s a pretty complete young player,’’ said Ricciuto.
“He is only very early days (in his career) but in five years he’ll be hitting his straps.’’
Rozee described Ricciuto’s big call as “a bit of a compliment’’ but said he didn’t pay too much attention to “external comment’’.
“I’ve got a long way to go before that happens,’’ he said.
Lukosius, who played 21 of a possible 22 games in his rookie year, added 3kg of muscle to his 195cm frame in the off-season to tip the scales at 90kg and has set up a home gym at his parents’ home.
“I’m just trying to make sure that I am ready to go for round two, whenever that is,’’ he said.