IT'S often said ruckmen take time to hit their peak but Kolora-Noorat teenager Brad Lucas is in a hurry.
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The powerful footballer is taking his chances as the Warrnambool and District league flag fancy surges towards another finals campaign.
Lucas, 19, has played 12 of the Power's 13 senior matches this season.
He's rucked solo in three of them, including Saturday's convincing win over South Rovers.
Usually he combines with Brodie Edge to give coach Ben Walsh a one-two punch.
"We ruck 50-50 or he does a bit more sometimes, depending on match-ups," Lucas said.
But he's felt comfortable when he's needed to step up in the more experienced Edge's absence.
"I enjoy the extra game time," Lucas said.
"It (ruck) is a usual role for me because I always rucked in juniors. I am just getting used to the extra game time and bigger bodies (in the seniors)."
Lucas describes himself as a "well-built" six-foot-four competitor who is "quite physical for a ruckman".
The farm worker, who is based at Gerard Justin's property at Terang, said he worked well with Edge.
"It is always good to bounce ideas off him," he said.
"He is an experienced player. He gets around the ground a bit better than I do."
Lucas, who graduated from Camperdown's Mercy Regional College in 2017 and lives on a 20-acre property just outside Noorat, has played in junior premierships with Kolora-Noorat.
He is hopeful his form will warrant senior selection when the Power starts its finals quest in five week's time.
"It would be unreal, it's what you work all season for," Lucas said.
"To hold my spot would be really good."
First-year coach Walsh is a fan, describing Lucas as "one of our most improved this year".
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