{"id":181420,"date":"2025-03-03T13:07:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T03:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=181420"},"modified":"2025-03-03T13:07:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T03:07:24","slug":"preseason-qa-lucas-wootton-tasmania-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/03\/03\/preseason-qa-lucas-wootton-tasmania-devils\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason Q&A: Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ONE OF Tasmania’s most highly credentialed top-agers this year is Launceston product Lucas Wootton<\/a>. The utility was an Under 16 All-Australian, turned out in the National Futures match last year, and has spent part of the preseason training with the Allies – all alongside Clarence tall Jasper Hay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, Wootton is expected to complete his shift into the Devils’ midfield having previously been exposed to a variety of roles. He starred with three top-10 finishes at Tasmania’s recent preseason testing event, where we sat down for a chat heading into the new campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Preseason Q&A:<\/strong> Jasper Hay (Clarence)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRESEASON Q&A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Q: Lucas, can you start with your earliest memory of football?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>I’d say winning an Under 12s premiership at Launceston Football Club with all my schoolmates. It was pretty special and I was the captain of that team, so that’s probably the earliest one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who are some of the mentors you\u2019ve had along the journey?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>Definitely my father, just talking to him whenever I can about footy or whatever I need. Then the likes of Ryley Sanders<\/strong> and Colby McKercher<\/strong>, they\u2019ve been good as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How have you handled the thought of relocating to get drafted like those boys, before Tasmania joins the AFL?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>We travel pretty much every second week, every week already with the Coates League which is fun, travelling and staying with the team. I think it’s something you’ve got to be ready for and it’s something I’m ready for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What about the buzz of Tasmania finally having its own team?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>It’s exciting for the state and something that we’ve always wanted. The VFL coming in next year is exciting and then I think the AFL in 2028 is pretty cool for the state. And hopefully we can get that stadium up too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How has preseason been for you?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>Preseason’s been long. Long sessions, but it’s been good. I’m ready for the season now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was it like coming through the Tassie program to train with the Allies this preseason?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>The Allies program was awesome. It was so good getting together with people from all the states and territories before we play in the champs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> NATIONAL CHAMPS:<\/strong> Why the 2025 Allies can repeat history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>Pretty quick, agile, and a good kick. I pride myself on that\u2026 I like to get out of stoppages and use my speed a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kind of role do you see yourself playing this year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>With the Devil’s I reckon inside mid, and then if I make the Allies hopefully a bit of mid, a bit of half-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any things you\u2019re looking to work on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>My contested stuff and defensive tackling, trying to get more turnovers with tackling. Trying to get more holding-the-balls in there and trying to be a team player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Which AFL club do you support?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>Collingwood Football Club\u2026 all the family goes for them, so it sort of had to go for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a player you try to mould your game on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>I’d say Nick Daicos<\/strong>. I like to watch him, he’s a pretty good player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kind of goals have you set for the year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>To make the Allies team, play all the games there, and then just playing consistently every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a teammate you think we should look out for to have a big year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LW: <\/strong>Probably Rylee McHenry<\/a>. He’s tough inside and I reckon he should have a good year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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