Tara Murray
Western Jets star Lucca Grego is using the lessons he learned last year to take his game to the next level.
Grego was part of the Vic Metro squad last season as a bottom ager and is again part of the squad this year.
He said he has helped massively for him as he looks to put out some good performances in his draft year.
“Coming in this year, I think it helps with leadership,” he said. “There’s a few kids in the side this year that didn’t play 16s, didn’t play 18s as a bottom ager, to already be there and come up to help these kids just starting their football journey through the talent pathway at metro.
“Playing metro last year has built me up for this year. I’ve done all the building blocks last year and done all the hard work for me to go out and enjoy it last year.”
Game one of the national championships is already under Grego’s belt, where he had 17 possessions.
The teenager said it was very quick in not the best footy conditions.
“It was a lot of fun and I’m keen to play the next three.”
While football is the dream now for Grego, it wasn’t his main focus when he was growing up.
Grego actually made the under-12 Victorian rugby league team for the School Sport national championships in 2018.
He told Star Weekly back then, that one of his dreams was to become a professional rugby league player.
“We lived in Queensland for about seven or eight years,” Grego said. “I started playing up there, and definitely was the dream from an early age.
“Being around Melbourne was definitely one reason, my grandfather was a big footy player. He played under-19s for South Melbourne back in the day and was a really good footballer.
“He kind of coaxed me into playing a couple of games for Altona Vikings and then I fell in love with it.”
Grego moved his football out to Bacchus Marsh where he now lives. He was at the Cobras until this year, when he decided to join Essendon District Football League premier side, Keilor.
He is yet to play a game with the Blues due to Coates Talent League and Vic Metro commitments, but Blues coach Mick McGuane is having a big influence on his career.
“He is probably one of the best coaches that I’ve ever had,” he said. “The way he communicates to all the players and the way he breaks down the game of footy is just unbelievable.
“He is already mentoring me and helping me along the way, what he has done for me know, helped immensely and can keep on providing.”’
Grego said he doesn’t model his game on anyone and tries to play like himself. Some people have said he plays like Collingwood premiership player Isaac Quaynor.
Grego is hoping to continue his strong form this season to hear his name called out at the end of the year.
He is currently also juggling year 12, which means he schedules his week every Sunday to make sure he’s got everything planned.
Grego said getting drafted later this year would mean a lot to him.
“It would mean everything to me,” he said. “I’ve put all this hard work in the last three years and to get drafted would be icing on the cake.
“I’m just focusing on school and footy. I’ve got exams in about 14 weeks, really knuckle down in school and continue to play the good footy I’m playing at the moment.
“Just have fun with it and not take it too seriously. I think everything should fall into place.”
