The question beckons. Does Lucas feel the heat from fans and has the award put extra pressure on him? ""There’s always pressure as you get older to play well. I have a fair bit of pride in my performance so I am always looking to play well,"" Lucas said.
""I guess there is some external pressure but nothing that worries me. Not a lot has changed from last season,"" he said.
While Lucas has not bowed to pressure from the accolades he earned last season, he says that his form so far in 2004 has been consistent rather than outstanding. ""I would like to be playing a bit better, as we all would, but as a club we have a chance in the second half of the year to progress up the ladder if we are good enough,"" said Lucas.
What has won Lucas respect from the football public is his versatility. Last year he played the majority of the year at centre-half back, kicking 19 goals for the season. This season he has relished the return to the forward line. He is second on the goal-kicking table behind Matthew Lloyd (54) with 20 goals from 13 games.
""I certainly enjoy playing in the back line a great deal. I played there last year and really enjoyed it, I really don’t mind where I play"", he said.
The challenge for Lucas and his Bomber team mates as they head to the mid-season break is to find new enthusiasm. After the break they will need all of their energy to push for that elusive top four position.
""You are always looking to improve on different areas and there’s always work to be done. I am looking to just keep on improving from here on into the finals.
""We have let ourselves down in the last couple of weeks but we are looking to string some wins together after the break and aim for a top four position,"" Lucas said.
