TOWERING Irish rookie Padraig Lucey will get his first taste of top-level footy when Geelong opens its NAB Challenge campaign against Gold Coast in Townsville on Sunday, March 1.
The Cats have a dearth of match-fit ruckmen at present, with Hamish McIntosh and Rhys Stanley still on managed training programs and Mitch Clark expected to be eased into his return to football.
The situation has opened the door for Lucey, who stands 203cm and has been showing good signs in the ruck in Geelong's recent match-simulation drills.
And the Irishman is keen to get stuck in.
"I just want to start playing games," Lucey told geelongcats.com.au.
"You can do all the training you want, but until you start playing games you don't realise how good you are or if you're progressing.
"At the end of the day you can only show what you've learned, or how good you are, by playing games.
"So I'm looking forward to getting a few games under my belt."
Lucey, who grew up playing Gaelic football and baseketball, was rookie-listed by the Cats after taking part in Foxtel's The Recruit program last year.
The 22-year-old has found the pre-season tough, but he has enjoyed it.
"This is the hardest training I've ever done, so this is the fittest I've ever been," he said.
"Body fat was probably the main thing I had to lose. My skinfolds have dropped a lot, so that's been pretty good.
"But I've been able to stay out on the track for practically all of the training, so I like the way I'm progressing, and hopefully I can keep going."
"I've been learning loads of Hamish and Dawson, so it's been really, really good learning from them.
"Hopefully I can take what they're teaching me and put it to use on the field."
In recent weeks, Lucey has been testing himself in rucking duels against Simpson, and he has enjoyed the physicality of the role.
"It is a bit of a change [from Gaelic footy and basketball] – the tackling and hitting guys in the ruck," he said.
"But I think it's a position where you've just really got to fight, and I think I've got a lot of that in me. The fighting Irish, as they say!
"So I'm think I'm adapting to that part of the game well.
"I've been learning loads of Dawson and Hamish and the other guys. It's been really, really good learning from them.
"Hopefully I can take what they're teaching me and put it to use on the field."
Although he has adapted well to the physical demands of playing in the ruck, Lucey has found mastering the oval ball a big challenge.
"Sometimes you have a good day and you think you've got it all sorted," he said.
"Then you have a bad day and you feel like you're starting from scratch again.
"But I've got a bit addicted to trying to succeed at it. I just come in every day and I want to get better.
"The goal I have set is just to be the best player I can be.
"I've got an opportunity here that not many people get, so I'm going to grasp it with both hands, work really hard, and see where I get to."
