Brad Johnson wants to see Gold Coast utility Jack Lukosius settled down across half back.
The second pick in the 2018 National Draft was drafted as a marking forward, but played his best footy in defence given his rebound and disposal by foot.
Lukosius was pushed further up the ground in 2022 with mixed results as his kicking let him down at times.
The 2018 draft has proven to be one of the great crops, with the likes of Sam Walsh, Izak Rankine, Max King, Connor Rozee, Ben King, Bailey Smith, Nick Blakey and Zak Butters in the top 12 picks.
Johnson would like to see Lukosius have a big summer and build his game across half back.
“I think his best position is probably across half back. I think trying to play high half forward, I understand them trying to use his ball-use inside 50 – which at times was unbelievable and at other times he missed the target by the length of the straight,” the Bulldogs great told Sportsday.
“I think off half-back, they should try and settle him down. They’ve got to get serious with that in the pre-season and do extra kicking with this guy to get it to the level required consistently.”
Gerard Healy agreed, adding: “I think if they’re going to be a serious team, he’s got to play like a top draft pick.”
Johnson is also curious to see how 2019 number one draft pick Matt Rowell develops in the next 12 months.
“Matt Rowell was one I had a really close look at this year. So Noah Anderson goes to another level. Rowell took a little bit but finally got back to that contest to contest play that made him stand out when he first entered the competition, he lost that with the injury,” he said.
“When he came back he wasn’t physically ready and he was caught in the middle a lot. The season just gone he got back to being able to push around a little and be a little bit stronger in the contest again.
“Ben Ainsworth improved, Elijah Hollands showed some class and looks like a young man who can hopefully help them accelerate where they want to go to.”
Gold Coast will take pick five into the 2022 National Draft.