West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is shaping up to be a key recruiting target for rival clubs
IN the short term, West Coast is facing a Round 1 ruck dilemma. But long term, things could get even more hectic for the club, with rivals already chasing soon to be free agent Scott Lycett.
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WEST Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is facing an uncertain future as rival clubs target the free agent.
The versatile big man is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to seriously consider leaving the Eagles.
Rival clubs are aware of his potential availability in the exchange period.
Lycett, who has played 50 games in his eight years at the club, is fighting with Nathan Vardy for the second ruck spot behind returning star big man Nic Naitanui this year.
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He could be tempted to find a new home to secure a better deal and more senior opportunity.
But Naitanui and Vardy remain under injury-clouds for West Coast’s season-opener, meaning Lycett could yet play a key role in the Round 1 match against Sydney Swans.
Lycett was taken by West Coast at pick No. 29 in the 2010 national draft after narrowly slipping past Port Adelaide (pick No. 16 — Ben Jacobs) and Geelong (pick No. 23 Cameron Guthrie).
South Australian Lycett, 25, played only one game last season due to knee and shoulder problems but is determined to cement a senior berth in 2018.
He has shown promise as a key forward and back-up ruckman but is yet to fulfil his early potential as a hard-running and versatile ruckman.
The 203cm ruckman had 13 hitouts, 10 possessions, five tackles and three marks in the Eagles’ first JLT match win over Port Adelaide.
Lycett is one of a number of key targets in this year’s bumper free agency pool including star Gold Coast spearhead Tom Lynch, Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane and Eagles wingman Andrew Gaff.
Originally published as West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is shaping up to be a key recruiting target for rival clubs
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