LUCAS WANTS TO REMAIN A BOMBER
BY ALANA LAKELAND and STEPHEN BAKER
ESSENDON management and champion forward Scott Lucas could be on a collision course over his playing future at the club beyond the end of 2008.
Lucas, who is set to play his 250th game against Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night, is out of contract at the end of the season.
The Bombers, vigorously pursing a youth policy as they re-build their list, are understood to be firm in their resolve to only offer the two-time Crichton Medalist a one-year deal.
Lucas, who turns thirty one in December this year, is however, equally determined to finalise a longer-term deal that ensures he sees out his playing days at Windy Hill.
“I’d certainly like to organise something that sees it beyond doubt that I’ll be here to the end,” Lucas said yesterday.
Bombers coach, Matthew Knights, refused to answer questions about Lucas’ contractual position yesterday, but said that he was in no way considering trading his star forward.
“I wouldn’t dare consider trading Scott Lucas, because I think the fabric of the club is important,” he said.
“At our club, one of its pillars is community and Scott’s been a great big part of the Essendon community for a long time, so that’s important to us.”
Despite Knights’ desire to keep Lucas at Essendon, a Melbourne radio personality today suggested that board members were confident that Lucas’ management would “cave” and accept a one-year deal.
FootyHeads, How many years do you think Essendon should offer Lucas?
