One is the unofficial capitol of tropical North Queensland while the other is a sleepy country town nestled in dairy farming territory out in south-west Victoria.

The contrasts appeal to Fraser Lucas. Not just from a lifestyle perspective, but also on the footy side of things.

The Camperdown forward will move north in early 2022, shifting to AFL Cairns outfit Centrals Trinity Beach.

Lucas, who will shift with partner Jess Cameron, is hoping exposure to different ideas and a new style of play will boost his future coaching aspirations.

"(Ex-Melbourne player) Sam Blease is the general manager up there and it probably struck a bit of a chord with me with how he could help my footy from a playing perspective," the Western District News sports journalist said.

"Their coach is a guy called Luke Morgan who played a lot of footy in the Ovens and Murray league and a lot of the guys I've played with up there spoke really highly of him as well.

"It felt like a really good option. I think I'm getting to the age where coaching is probably something I'm looking at for the future and the chance to learn a little bit more there will be great."

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Lucas, who has played under Phil Carse and Neville Swayn at Leura Oval, said learning from another in Morgan would help him become a more-rounded tactician.

He said the shift had been on the agenda for a while and predicted it would last at least 12 months, but stressed no plans had been set in stone.

"My partner and I have been weighing it up for a little while now. It'll be a bit of a change of pace and lifestyle," Lucas said.

"(Jess) spent about a month working up there so we're a little bit familiar with the area. We're pretty keen to head north."

Lucas will line up alongside Koroit export Lachie Rhook and Terang Mortlake's Ben Finnerty at the northern beaches-based club.

He revealed he was excited at the prospect of playing alongside the pair, instead of opposing sides.

"Obviously the weather is entirely different so I'm expecting a pretty fast, free-flowing style," Lucas said.

"It'll be a drier winter and I think I'll enjoy the footy up there. I think having a bit more time and space suits me and hopefully I can get up to Centrals and be a part of taking it a bit further than they went in 2021."

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