West Coast’s Scott Lycett completes journey from remote SA town to football’s highest mountain
WEST Coast ruckman Scott Lycett reflects on his incredible journey from a remote Eyre Peninsula town to winning the AFL premiership on the MCG.
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WEST Coast ruckman Scott Lycett was holding the AFL premiership trophy with one hand and a beer in the other — and was not intending to break that routine as the Eagles celebrated their fourth flag at the MCG on Saturday night.
“I grew up in a town of 500 people, eight-and-a-half hours west of Adelaide (on the Eyre Peninsula) — and first to be an AFL player was special; now to be an AFL premiership player is something that can never be taken away,” Lycett said.
“I moved away from my family (at Smoky Bay) — and I am so lucky I was welcomed into an awesome family with the West Coast Eagles.”
Originally with SANFL club Port Adelaide, 25-year-old Lycett is now part of West Coast’s fourth premiership team that was led by a fellow South Australian, Shannon Hurn.
“I can’t describe it,” Lycett said of premiership success. “But every kid grows up wanting to do it. For me to do it after so long (eight seasons in the AFL) is unbelievable.”
Lycett and Nathan Vardy formed a significant two-man battery against Collingwood and All-Australian ruckman Brody Grundy, who finished again with 49 hit-outs against the Eagles duo. Lycett’s work in the second half was hindered by a hip complaint.
“The first half, I thought I did alright,” said Lycett, who had 15 hit-outs. “But I’ve been battling some hip injury throughout the year. In the second half, particularly the third quarter, I started felling it a bit and ‘Vards’ stepped up then.
“I was struggling a bit. But that is the best thing about me and ‘Vards’ — if one guy is struggling a bit, the other picks up the slack.”
Lycett described the spirit that lifted the Eagles after a poor opening term against Collingwood as another great chapter in a long story of overcoming obstacles at West Coast this season.
“Even with key players out (injured ruckman Nic Naitanui and suspended midfielder Andrew Gaff, in particular) this group lives to the theme that whoever comes in plays his role,” Lycett said. “Everyone in this team has a role to play — and that is the biggest thing about this group, everyone doing their bit. We knew if we all did our bit, we would win.
“That win is built on our confidence from winning when we have been in this situation before. We never felt like we were out of the game. I can’t explain it any other way.”
Lycett is expected to take up his free-agency option to join Port Adelaide next season as the Power seeks new ruck strength to support Patrick Ryder.
On his plans, Lycett strategically left his future to this task: “I am going to drink some beers and celebrate a premiership.”
The free agency market opens on Friday.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au