WESTERN Jets’ top draft prospect Lucca Grego got his first opportunity at VFL level on Sunday afternoon, debuting for Williamstown in the Seagulls’ eight-point loss to North Melbourne.

The aggressive half-back translated his clean fundamental skills to senior level, making good use of his loose ball opportunities, offensive movements, and even intercept marking moments.

We put the Vic Metro representative’s Round 19 showing under the Player Focus microscope, dissecting his game quarter-by-quarter.

Vic Metro, Western JetsMidfielder

Lucca Grego

Height: 184cm

Weight: -

DOB: 15-08-2006

2024 VFL: Round 19
Williamstown 9.13 (67) def. North Melbourne 11.9 (75)

#40 Lucca Grego (Williamstown)
Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 8 intercept possessions, 3 score involvements

FIRST QUARTER

Grego had to wait a while to get his first opportunity around the footy but was locked in defensively to start, opposing top Mid-Season Draft pick Geordie Payne.

His work rate was proficient across all four quarters, and whilst his first half was slightly quieter than the second, his evenness in output was consistent, always providing offensive run on the outside, to generate a handball receive.

The balance between defence and offence made Grego’s opponent accountable for his actions and often allowed him to push high up the ground to offer support in loose ball contests.

His kicking wasn’t the forte of his game early, but his work by hand was efficient and made him a resource in limited moments.

The only downside of Grego’s game in the first quarter was allowing his new direct opponent, Jack Watkins, too much room in transition to run forward and take an uncontested mark, which luckily wasn’t in a scoring position.

SECOND QUARTER

After a decent feel for the game in the first quarter, Grego’s approach became a lot more assertive around loose ball contests.

Grego pushed out wide and impacted in rebounding the footy out of defensive 50, decisive with the way he moved contest-to-contest.

Cleanliness at ground level has been a weapon of Grego’s in his development, and it transferred seamlessly at the senior level, influencing loose ball contests with his pickups and quick hands off to a runner in advantage.

Grego’s pressure acts after he disposed of the footy helped to further impose himself around the contest, laying a bump or shepherd to give his teammate clean grass in front of them to get off a kick.

Aerially, Grego was able to make himself accountable, taking on the body contact from senior bodies on one occasion to force a spoil and stoppage in North Melbourne’s forward transition.

THIRD QUARTER

Grego’s aggressiveness and pressure at the ball carrier was non-stop and it continued straight into the third quarter when he wasn’t able to find a lot of the footy.

He was able to attack the footy when it came his way, reading the bounce of the ball well to wrap his hands around it in awkward moments.

Grego’s only dull moment was giving away a free kick for a dangerous tackle, which resulted in a goal, but it certainly wasn’t a factor that changed his attitude to the contest.

Later in the quarter, he was able to find a few more uncontested touches, making runs into the back pocket to get a few uncontested marks and use it safely by foot.

His first intercept mark came late in the third and set him up for a strong aerially showing in the back end of the game, coming across the pack to read an exit kick out of forward 50.

FOURTH QUARTER

Given Williamstown was chasing the game in the final quarter, Grego’s output became offensive at every opportunity, starting with strong runs on the outside to add numbers in transition, and at the very least, draw opponents away from the ball carrier.

Grego was again clean by hand in loose ball contests and without the footy was decisive with his tackle pressure to force stoppages.

The senior-level physicality challenged Grego late in the contest and did impact his ability to get a clean handball off at times, but more often than not he stood up and embraced the contact to push through and get his hands free to dish off a handball.

Much like his intercept mark at the end of the third, Grego’s second one was even stronger, crashing a pack to get his body in front.

Grego was able to showcase nice moments of evasiveness late and was composed in his ability to assess his options around him.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Grego’s first senior hitout can be deemed successful in his ability to efficiently transfer his aggressiveness and cleanliness into a fast-paced environment.

There was always great intent in Grego’s actions, and whether that be pressure acts around the contests or unrewarded runs on the outside just to free up numbers ahead of the play, he was typically on the ball with his decision-making.

While there were some areas Grego could tidy up like his defensive transition running, he impressed with his ability to maintain his effort and not put his head down in some lower moments.

His aerial capability was impressive late in the second half, and his strength to out-power bigger bodies made his game more desirable.