AFL 2024: Gold Coast coach says Jack Lukosius is a ‘required player’

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has weighed in on a contracted forward’s future at the club after his sensational omission.

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick says contracted forward Jack Lukosius is a ‘required player’ at the Suns. Picture: Matt Roberts / Getty Images

Damien Hardwick says Jack Lukosius is a “required player” at Gold Coast as rival interest in the talented forward surges following his omission last week.

Lukosius, 24, was dropped after a pair of goalless performances in defeats to Brisbane and West Coast, leading to reports he would seek a trade home to South Australia.

The former No.2 pick booted 39 goals last season playing as a permanent forward but has become unsettled on the field again this season with Hardwick using him at halfback and on a wing.

The Suns coach said he was yet to find the best role for Lukosius but was committed to working it out with the 115-gamer and keeping him at the club.

The booming right-foot kick is under contract until he becomes a restricted free agent at the end of 2026.

“Look, this time of year there’s always speculation, isn’t there? From our point of view, he’s a required player,” Hardwick said on Thursday.

Gold Coast forward Jack Lukosius remains a ‘required player’ at the club despite being dropped for the round 23 win over Essendon, coach Damien Hardwick says. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

“The thing (is), some of that’s on Jack, some of that’s on me, we’ve just got to figure out how to utilise him.

“He’s an incredibly talented player that I feel I haven’t got the best out of him yet, so we’ve got to sit down and figure out what that looks like, and that’s on me, first and foremost as a coach.”

Hardwick said the pair had a “really good relationship” and Lukosius had been honest with him about where he felt he was best suited.

“(Lukosius) has some areas of his game he needs to improve, but the fact is so does every other player within the AFL, so we’ll get back and make sure he becomes a very valuable player for us in the coming weeks,” Hardwick said.

“From my point of view, what I know is he’s a highly talented player who’s got an incredible skill set.

“We’ve got a really good relationship, he’s a terrific young man.”

Hardwick said he had no concerns about clubs planning raids on his young, talented players.

Hardwick said tall utility Mac Andrew would stay forward against Melbourne following his late-game heroics against the Bombers. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“The positive is we’re getting a lot of players ringing us as well, which is an exciting thing to say,” he said.

“One thing we do know is our club is young and emerging, but I think we’re also on the verge of becoming a destination club as well.

“Clubs will always come at our players, but first and foremost we feel we’re going to become a destination club not too far from the distant future.”

Hardwick said he would keep Mac Andrew forward in Saturday’s home game against Melbourne after seven goals in two weeks, including his matchwinning finish after the siren against Essendon.

“He’ll stay forward this week – we’re really enjoying what he gives, with his athleticism, his height … what it does is because he’s such an athletic tall, it makes (Ben King) a little bit of a better player because sides can’t sort of drop off and get in front of his space,” Hardwick said.

“Obviously, it will be a different challenge this week … one thing the Dees do very well is they defend that back part of the grid very well.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Gold Coast coach says Jack Lukosius is a ‘required player’