Jack Lukosius yesterday re-committed to the Gold Coast Suns by signing a contract extension.
The 19-year-old re-signed with the Suns until the end of 2022 in what is a massive boost for the club.
There has always been the pull for Lukosius to return to South Australian but the Adelaide native has had some help in resisting that lure of a potential move to the Crows, according to what Tim Watson has heard.
“When Jack Lukosius was drafted by the Gold Coast Suns, the word out there in football circles was that Adelaide didn’t worry too much about that because they’ll give him a bit of grounding but he’ll come back to Adelaide,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I find this really interesting. One of the reasons why he wasn’t interested, or turned his back on the possibility of going back to Adelaide in the short-term, was that he’d spoken to (Port Adelaide’s) Connor Rozee and he said he can’t go out for dinner anywhere in Adelaide because he gets mobbed.
“That’s the way that it’s been relayed to me.
“It’s not such a great thing. He’s (Rozee) not enjoying that part of his life in Adelaide so much.
“So, the idea of going back there and playing football in Adelaide wasn’t the carrot and wasn’t the exciting thing that he thought it might be and he’s decided to stay at the Gold Coast Suns.”
Following the re-commitment of Lukosius, which comes in the wake of fellow 2018 draftee Ben King also signing on, former Essendon captain Watson commented on the apparent shift in fortunes for the Suns.
Asked if he was sensing positive steps, Watson added: “I am, because players are re-signing.
“They announced yesterday that Jack Lukosius has re-signed. He had other offers.
“King has re-signed there. You’ve got (Matt) Rowell and (Noah) Anderson, we know that they’re going to end up at the Gold Coast too and they’re excited about that.
“I think there has become a difference of thinking associated with the club. They’ve become a little bit harder in their dealings with players that want to get out.
“They have muscled up.”
Listen to the best bits of Friday’s SEN Breakfast below: