Gold Coast Suns 2024: Damien Hardwick keen to pursue Jack Lukosius as a swingman with emergence of Jed Walter

With the Suns’ boom key forward recruit Jed Walter showing glimpses of his potential on debut, don’t be surprised to see Jack Lukosius becoming a swingman weapon for Damien Hardwick writes CALLUM DICK.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Jack Lukosius of the Suns celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Opening Round match between the Gold Coast SUNS and the Richmond Tigers at People First Stadium on March 09, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jack Lukosius is poised to become the Suns’ star swingman with the arrival of boom key forward Jed Walter unlocking a new doubled-edged weapon in Damien Hardwick’s arsenal.

Lukosius, 23, had spent time playing across halfback and on the wing early in his career before shifting to a permanent key forward role alongside Ben King last season.

The South Australian booted 39 goals in 2023 – including three separate bags of five – becoming a major focal point of the Suns’ attack.

But that again looks set to change in 2024, with Hardwick eager to use the 195cm talent as a match-up specific plug-and-play piece at either end of the ground.

Jack Lukosius competes with the Bulldogs’ Tom Liberatore at Mars Stadium in Ballarat. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

We got a glimpse of that in the Suns’ loss to the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat a fortnight ago, when Lukosius began as a defender before shifting forward.

What was thought to perhaps be a one-off move to help combat the potent Dogs forward line could instead become standard operating procedure, Lukosius said.

“I think I will be a bit down back (and) probably a bit forward as well,” he said.

“Dimma is still trying to shape his system into what he sees going forward so yeah, whatever he wants me to play is where I’ll be.

“I’m lucky enough to have strengths at either end (of the ground). Whatever the team needs to win, I’ll do.”

Blessed with one of the best kicks in the AFL, he profiles as the perfect player to fill that niche in Hardwick’s system as a third tall capable of hurting the opposition with his foot skills going the other way.

And the Suns coach now has the luxury of moving Lukosius away from the point of attack due to the arrival of Academy product Walter.

Jed Walter showed glimpses of his potential on debut for the Suns against the Buldogs. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The 18-year-old made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs and showed glimpses of his potential, with his trademark attack on the ball and ground level pressure a feature.

Though Walter did not have a great impact on the contest in his first outing, Lukosius said he and the club expected big things from the No. 3 draft pick.

“Obviously Jed is going to be a pretty good player for the club going forward so it’s good to get him in the team and I can fill in spots around that,” Lukosius said.

“It’s exciting. He has a bit of a presence to kick to.

“Down in Ballarat it was a bit windy and with the game not on our terms early it was probably not an ideal start for him but just his chase and pressure and stuff even when it’s not perfect he’ll find a way to get himself back in the game so I think he’s going to be a great target to kick to going forward.”

The Suns will fly to Adelaide on Friday ahead of a Sunday afternoon Gather Round encounter with GWS.

Star ruckman Jarrod Witts trained on Tuesday and is expected to be fit to face the Giants after missing the Bulldogs clash with groin soreness, while a call on Bailey Humphrey (shoulder) will be made later in the week.

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns 2024: Damien Hardwick keen to pursue Jack Lukosius as a swingman with emergence of Jed Walter