Couple goals: Home and Away actor Lukas Radovich and Australian Kelpies player, Liam Forcadilla

A Home and Away actor and an Australian netballer walk into a bar and watch a rat climb across a rafter. Five years after that first date, Lukas Radovich and Liam Forcadilla are getting hitched.

Home and Away actor Lukas Radovich and his partner, Australian Kelpies player Liam Forcadilla. Picture: Rohan Kelly

COUPLE GOALS

Lukas Radovich: Actor/producer

Lam Forcadilla: Kelpie (Australian netballer)/graphic designer.

Years together: 5.5 (getting married August 1, 2025)

LUKAS:

How did you meet?

At a bar in Redfern after a short courting period on Tinder – an app I had just little faith in, until Liam came along.

It was a Monday night after I’d finished work, and the bar was empty. I joked that I’d hired it out for our first date, and for a moment, Liam believed me.

We drank a few gins, sat out in the courtyard, and watched a giant bush rat climb across a rafter (so really, it was a date for three).

It wasn’t until three months later did we “become official”.

Lukas Radovich and his partner, Australian Kelpies player, Liam Forcadilla, agree their frits date was their best date. Picture: Rohan Kelly

What was the first thing you noticed about him?

How tall he was. He didn’t look that tall in his profile photos, although he made it pretty clear he was sporty with all the basketball references, so that probably should’ve been a giveaway.

When did you first know it was love?

There were so many little moments that built up to it, but I clearly remember the first time I said “I love you”. It was at a Kings basketball game, sitting with his family.

I had this overwhelming sense of completeness, like I could finally take a deep breath after being underwater for too long. It was such a foreign feeling – something completely alien and unknown.

What was your most standout date?

Definitely our first.

The most romantic thing he’s done for you?

Our romance lives in the small things, not grand gestures. It’s not really us to scatter rose petals around a hotel room or hire a photographer to hide in the bushes during a proposal.

I find romance in the moments where, after a huge day for both of us, I come home to a glass of red wine and a home-cooked meal already waiting.

Those quiet, thoughtful acts mean more to me than anything extravagant.

What is the toughest thing you’ve had to overcome together?

I think the toughest challenge is still ahead of us – being in a relationship as two men, in a world that sometimes feels like it’s going backwards.

Rights that were once fought for and won are now at risk of being taken away just as quickly. I sometimes have nightmares about our marriage being annulled years down the track.

I don’t want our relationship to be a political statement. I just want it to be what it is: two people who love each other. But it’s not as simple as that, and it’s a privilege to live in a country that accepts us.

Beyond that, grief has also been one of the toughest things we’ve had to navigate together. Talking about it isn’t always easy – at least not for me – so communication becomes even more crucial, even if it doesn’t always happen perfectly.

We’ve both lost important people during our time together, and it’s left a profound impact on us individually and as a couple.

Former Home and Away actor Lukas Radovich in episodes of the TV soap.

What is the secret to a happy relationship?

Honestly, it sounds obvious but it’s still sometimes the hardest thing – communication.

I sometimes compare it to living with a housemate. When you’re living with strangers or even friends, there’s usually pretty good communication – maybe a chore roster, shared accountability for bills, and if there’s a problem, someone (hopefully) brings it up.

But sometimes in relationships, all that structure flies out the window because you’re so comfortable with each other.

Maintaining open, honest communication – even about the boring or uncomfortable stuff – is key. It’s how you keep building trust, stay connected, and ensure you’re growing together rather than drifting apart.

Who puts the bins out?

Probably me.

What is the thing you argue the most about?

Probably who’s taking out the bins!

What do you find the most annoying about each other?

For someone who is very meticulous and a bit of a perfectionist, he’s incredibly messy! Although I miss him while he’s off on tour around Australia and the world, I do enjoy how tidy the house is when he’s gone.

Who does the most cooking?

Me – it’s my love language. My whole family loves to cook, and it’s how I learnt to express my feelings. I love cooking for friends, and especially for my partner and family.

What is the trait you like most about him?

How fiercely Liam does everything. He’s an “all or nothing” kind of guy. He plays sport fiercely, he fiercely fights for what he believes in, and above all, he fiercely loves.

LIAM:

How did you meet?

A Tinder love story: After matching and then unmatching, Lukas finally decided to strike up the courage to ask me on a date. On the 14th of October 2019 we met at Arcadia, a bar in Redfern after Lukas finished work and I finished uni for the day.

What was the first thing you noticed about him?

I remember arriving at our first date and thinking “How is he older than me?!?”

He sat out the front of the bar with a little blue backpack and hands on his knees like he was posing for a school photo.

I knew he had a baby face but for a second thought he might’ve lied about his age on his Tinder profile!

We had one of those first dates that felt like it was from a love story. There was clearly chemistry, banter and an ease of conversation I hadn’t felt before. Lukas had a sparkle in his eye that caught my attention and something he still has to this day.

What was your most standout date?

Our first date. I still don’t know if he’s ever kissed me better than our first kiss.

When did you first know it was love?

I was pretty head over heels about Lukas straight away, but needed to play it cool because Lukas is a slow burn.

I remember taking him to see the Sydney Kings play, and have him hang out with my family and they were all equally infatuated with him and I knew it then. He is so genuine and charming and kind.

Lukas and Liam are ambassadors for national mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The most romantic thing he has done for you?

Successfully surprising me during the proposal. Nobody can keep a secret from me, and I was thoroughly blindsided.

He proposed to me on my birthday when I was too distracted with planning a big party that turned into an impromptu engagement party, even drove out of his way to ask my parents for permission the week beforehand and made sure they were coming to my birthday party too.

I was last-minute fake tanning for the event, when he said he would duck out and get coffees for us.

He came home with a bunch of roses and iced coffees, put on Lover by Taylor Swift and simply handed me the ring box. I burst out crying and he made me wash off the tan before putting the ring on me.

Men’s netball player Liam Forcadilla with Diamonds netballer Paige Hadley. Picture: Adam Yip

What is the toughest thing you’ve had to overcome together in your relationship?

The loss of Luke’s father was a big moment.

Luke was overseas on a family trip and I was preparing to trial for the Australian Kelpies team for 2023 and I still remember the phone call.

It broke my heart not being able to be with him straight away, but I arrived in Rome as fast as I could.

The three weeks in Rome with Luke and his mother and siblings was hard, but special in a strange way. But I think the 12 months afterwards were the hardest for Luke.

What is the secret to a happy relationship?

Lukas has taught me that I don’t need to change myself, or compromise on my passions and dreams for him to achieve his. Our relationship is built on endless support for each other and our endeavours. We are each other’s number one fans.

Who puts the bins out?

Lukas.

What’s the most annoying about each other?

Lukas is sometimes like a dial-up modem. Whether it’s mid-argument, deciding what restaurant to go to for dinner or shopping for a new shirt – the process takes far too long for my liking.

And his fridge habits are, honestly, criminal. He will savour every sauce, pickled vegetable or condiment he makes but forget about it for months until it smells or is mouldy.

Who does the most cooking?

My teammates refer to Lukas as my “live-in chef” and often ask what gourmet meal I’ll be going home to after a late night training session.

What is the trait you like most about him?

Lukas is pure joy. He is sweet and kind, with a wit that can be cutting but always said with a smile and giggle. He is hilarious, always laughing and lighting up a room.

He can do the splits randomly without stretching. Life with Lukas is light, fun and continuous laughter.

— Lukas and Liam are ambassadors for national mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, which starts on June 4. To register and join them in the push for better mental health, visit thepushupchallenge.com.au