Luamon Lual taking big steps towards AFL career

A young country footballer has been raising eyelids this season and one moment said it all when an opposition coach moved the magnets.

Luamon Lual may not be on the big stage of the Herald Sun Shield this Wednesday but onlookers certainly noticed the impact he had down back in their hard fought semi-final last week.

The year 11 Emmanuel College Warrnambool footballer played a vital role in his side’s rise to the Shield finals where they almost knocked out the dominant St Patrick’s College Ballarat.

Emmanuel trailed by a goal at three-quarter time before a masterstroke move from St Pat’s coach Gavin Webb to tag Lual turned the game in their favour as they piled on final-quarter goals to win by 31-points.

The unusual move to tag Lual who is a defender paid dividends as it took his intercepting and rebounding game out of the match and broke open the forward line for St Pat’s.

Lual, who was recently selected in the Victoria Country Under-18 squad as a 17-year-old and is a part of the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy said he noticed the tag and found it to be a good learning experience.

“It was a bit tough getting tagged but it is what it is, happy for the boys,” Lual said.

“It was a really good experience.”

Lual plays for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the NAB League and in South Warrnambool’s senior side back at home.

The Australian born Lual of South Sudanese background credited his teammates for their efforts which almost ended St Pat’s streak of making it to Shield Grand Finals for 12 consecutive years.

“It was good, we had a good first three quarters but they got over us in the end but it was great fun, we did well, really proud of the boys but unfortunately we couldn’t over the top,” he said.

Lual said his goal is to follow in the footsteps of other South Sudanese players like Majak Daw and Aliir Aliir in making it to the AFL.

“Obviously AFL is the goal but as I said I will keep practising my skills and see where it takes me,” he said.

Emmanuel coach Paul Carson said Lual had plenty of upside.

“A really promising player, athletically very gifted, kicks the ball really well,” Carson said.

“He is an exciting player and potentially a draftable player in a year or two.”

Carson who also coaches against Lual in the local Hampden Football Netball League in Warrnambool said he was also great on and off the field.

“Luamon is a great kid, a really talented basketballer as well,” he said.

“Super talented footballer, a lovely family and a really lovely kid.

“He has a bright future.”