Sport
27 February, 2023
Maryborough’s young star Lucas Hurse makes final Bendigo Pioneers squad for 2023
Lucas Hurse knows he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. “I never would have thought it if you asked me this time last year. It’s surreal,” he said. The 17-year-old Maryborough FNC young gun is now one step closer to his goal of...
Lucas Hurse knows he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I never would have thought it if you asked me this time last year. It’s surreal,” he said.
The 17-year-old Maryborough FNC young gun is now one step closer to his goal of playing in the AFL, after making the final cut for the Bendigo Pioneers squad in 2023.
Months of work, which included skill testing, gruelling training sessions and competing against the best of the best in the Bendigo region culminated in his selection to the Coates Talent League club.
Hurse was travelling long-distance with his family on Friday when he got the news — sparking scenes of genuine euphoria.
“We were driving back home from Wagga Wagga when we got the news. It was awesome. Mum and dad were hugging me, and it was nuts. They said they released the email at 5 pm and I was counting down the hours from the time I woke up,” he said.
“Mum was in tears, dad was filled with joy.”
Hurse says it was fitting to celebrate with his family, given the amount of sacrifices they have made to follow his dream.
“I owe a great deal to my parents. They are always supportive and loving no matter what. Sometimes I will be in the car after a bad training session and be in a bad mood, and they’re just there for me. I wouldn’t be here without them and I’m so grateful for them for everything they do. They’re awesome and I have a great relationship with them,” he said.
“The Pioneers are based in Epsom, so it’s an hour’s drive from Maryborough, it’s a lot of commitment. But it’s absolutely worth it. It’s a fantastic standard, with a lot of hard-working guys there that makes it great to be around.”
Hurse is well-equipped to make the standard at the Pioneers, both on and off the field.
He made an impact in 24 games for the local Pies during 2022 — nine at senior level, and 15 in the under 18s, doubling up on regular occasions.
In the under 18 elimination final against Strathfieldsaye, Hurse put in a performance for the ages across the midfield, underlining his immense talent that is a step up from the level of the Bendigo Football Netball League.
Off the field, Hurse continues to learn.
He is school captain at Highview College — an achievement that has allowed him to understand his role and standing both at the school and the town of Maryborough itself.
“Being a school captain made me realise that so many people looked up to me, and I needed to set a standard. If you’re doing good things, such as working hard and setting a good example, that has an effect on everyone else. I think, as a leader, what I have got from it is if I show who I am and show I’m a good person, then I can change other people and we can strive to do better,” he said.
“I would say I am hard-working and consistent. I always try and show up and do a little bit extra, and I would also say I am open-minded. I just want to learn, I’m not always right, I just want to get better. Each day, I wake up and strive for greatness.”
Hurse will look to build his leadership qualities alongside like-minded players who are also looking to earn their spot in the AFL at the end of the year.
That includes projected number one pick, Harley Reid, who has been likened to Richmond superstar, and Campbells Creek and fellow Pioneers product, Dustin Martin.
Hurse says he’s learned a lot from training alongside Reid.
“Harley is another step above everyone. His excellence makes you tell he is a great footballer, and you can tell by playing against him. When you beat him in a ground ball, it gives you a great sense of joy. Such a great player like that means you can learn so much from him. All the little things he does is what makes him so good,” he said.
Hurse, for his part, looks up to Melbourne star Christian Petracca more than anyone in the competition as someone he bases his own game off.
“I would say I model my game off Christian Petracca. He’s such a great player and a great person. He’s perfect to model both your game and your lifestyle off,” he said.
“There are also players like Sam Walsh, Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale I look up to — they run all day and have great inside midfielders’ games too. They’re great players that can just win the footy.”
The prospect of being a player alongside them drives Hurse.
“AFL players are my heroes. You look at them and you wonder how they do it. To potentially be one if I do well enough at the Pioneers would make me so happy and so ecstatic,” he said.
“I just want recruiters to see how I am. I want to put my name out there and be considered for the draft, and also for Vic Country. I just want to play good football at a high standard.”
Hurse says he owes a great deal to an illustrious list of names that have contributed to his football journey along the way at Maryborough.
“I’d say Coby Perry is a massive influence. A player like him is someone we are lucky to have. He’s extremely knowledgeable, and he is here to help everyone be better in footy and life. He has so much to teach and he is willing to teach it. And he’s a great role model to everyone. We’re super-lucky he is coaching us this year,” he said.
“Rick Andrews was great too. He has plenty of knowledge and gave me a different perspective of the game.
“A lot of the older senior boys taught me so much too. Jayden Hooper, Matt Bilton, those kinds, they have different ways to play football. They’re extremely smart and have played plenty of high-quality footy.”
With Hurse now locked in for the season at the Bendigo Pioneers, he can now look ahead to the first game of their season — a clash with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Saturday, March 25.