Jack Lukosius firms as No. 1 draft pick, likened to Nick Riewoldt

NICK Riewoldt clone Jack Lukosius has been declared the best junior in 15 years after another stunning display on the weekend.

Jack Lukosius has been touted as a possible No. 1 draft pick.

NICK Riewoldt clone Jack Lukosius has been declared the best junior in 15 years after another stunning display on the weekend.

As clubs begin to assess their likely draft positions, recruiters have South Australian 17-year-old Lukosius as the clear No.1 pick.

The 194cm centre half-forward gave them another reminder with 159 ranking points, 17 disposals, 14 marks, 4.2 and five inside-50 marks for SA in the national championships.

He kicked four goals in his senior SANFL debut in a preliminary final for Woodville West Torrens last year, and is equally capable on a wing or at centre half-back.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said Lukosius was “special with a capital S”, similar to Riewoldt but with a more fluent kicking action.

One AFL recruiter said that the 194cm key position player, who will be 18 in August, was a once-in-a-generation player.

“He is the best I have seen in 15 years,” he said.

“We saw in a trial early on in the year he played as a key defender, then at halftime put him to the wing and he was just as dominant. He plays senior footy for the Eagles as a key forward. There is so much upside to his game. He would be playing AFL footy now. He is a very, very special player now.”

Jack Lukosius takes a big mark over Jasper Pittard and Jimmy Toumpas in the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed

Jack Lukosius in action for South Australia. Picture: Roger Wyman

Carlton, Brisbane and the Gold Coast are all live chances for the No. 1 pick, and would rule out trading it given the incredible talent he is.

Sheehan was there on Saturday watching Lukosius strut his stuff, saying he had few weaknesses to his game.

“He took 14 marks at centre half-forward and he just has the cleanest hands. He takes anything in his area, he is a one-grabber and he just gets separation on good opponents so easily,” he said.

“For a kid of his size, he is so fluent with his action and kicks brilliantly. He actually missed two easy shots so he should have had six goals.

“But it was brilliant game, he was clearly best on. He was a class above them. It was an outstanding game.

“He reads the ball so well in flight, he dominated as a 16-year-old at centre half back and

in terms of the way he moves he glides over the ground the same was as Nick Riewoldt.

“He is bigger than Nick at the same age and is a better natural kick, he is so relaxed with his technique.”

Victorian star teens Sam Walsh (Geelong Falcons) and Ben King (Vic Metro) get their chance to shine this weekend.

Walsh’s Vic Country takes on the Allies on Saturday at 10am before the Giants-Gold Coast game, while King’s Vic Metro takes on West Australia on Sunday.

Walsh is a top-three pick likened to Lachie Whitfield for his skill and running capacity, while King is a swingman whose high-leaping brother Max is out for the year with an ACL.