AFL player agent Scott Lucas has lashed an article suggesting that two Fremantle players he manages were looking for trades.
The article, which appeared in The West Australian, indicated Sean Darcy could head to Geelong and that Luke Ryan could head to St Kilda.
As Lucas manages the star pair, he was asked by SEN’s Tom Morris whether they’ll remain at the Dockers beyond 2023 on SEN Crunch Time.
Lucas was adamant that the pair wouldn’t be leaving at this stage and suggested that the reporter should have done their research before publishing.
Morris: “Will he (Darcy) be at Fremantle next year?”
Lucas: “Yes.”
Morris: “Good, that’s sorted then, because there was an article in the West Australian...”
Lucas: “That (article) sort of thought the truth was irrelevant and I mean, you can write what you like but I think there's an obligation to follow up on some aspects of that article.”
Morris: “As in to give you a call before the article?”
Lucas: “If you're unsure about something (then call), because there were factual inaccuracies in that article, about length of contracts and so forth and just discussions that haven't been had.”
Morris “So the article said that Sean Darcy would look at a move to Geelong at the end of the year.”
Lucas: “Sean’s contracted for next year.”
Morris: “But we know the players under contract do move.”
Lucas: “Right now, I don't see how that happens and I have not had a conversation with Geelong, so that's it.
“Now, I can't say what happens in two or three months' time, but right now that's incorrect.
“Luke Ryan is looking to go to St Kilda, the article referenced … he's contracted to the end of 2027.
“I'll leave it at that. That's all that needs to be said.”
Morris: “He’s got three more years after this.”
Lucas “It’s only three months or four months ago that we did that extension.
“So it's not like it was a long time ago and he’s (thinking about moving).
“We went through a really thorough process of discussing that with him at the time.
“I was just disappointed because on the back of that, you don't want to get into a he says she says.
“But I think it's really important that when we report, we do our research.”
The article was authored by two-time West Coast premiership player Peter Sumich.