FORMER Geelong rookie Padraig Lucey has chosen GFL club Newtown & Chilwell to continue his football journey.
The 24-year-old Irishman, who spent two years at Simonds Stadium after coming to attention on television show The Recruit, came to terms with the Eagles this afternoon after more than a month of negotiations.
“(Former president) Noel O’Dwyer made the first contact when were made aware that Geelong wasn’t going to retain him,” coach Damien McMahon told K rock Football.com.au
“It’s been an ongoing conversation with president Shaun McWilliam and football manager Terry Bright, and he’s been training with us since mid-January.”
Since his first run at Elderslie Reserve on January, Lucey returned home to Ireland.
“He had to go home for a two-week period as part of renewing his visa,” McMahon said.
“He made his way back and he’s been training with us since he got back.
“The whole deal revolves around doing work that fits the need of his visa.”
The 24-year-old played 33 VFL games for the Cats, including last year’s elimination final loss to Essendon, mainly as a ruckman.
McMahon said he’ll spend time in the ruck as well as forward for Newtown & Chilwell.
“We think he’ll complement David Fanning,” McMahon said.
“It gives us an older head with a young player who can learn off Fanno’s experience and a two-pronged ruck attack of a couple of 200cm bigs.”
Despite being delisted by the Cats, McMahon said Lucey still harboured ambitions of playing AFL.
“The sole purpose of him staying in Australia is to give himself the chance to get on an AFL list again,” McMahon said.
“We’ll give him opportunity to be in the eyes of Geelong and other clubs who have followed his progress in the three years he’s been here.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
Last Modified on 24/03/2017 04:55
