Western Bulldogs Selection: No. 63
Position: Key Defender
DOB: 5/1/87
Height: 192cm
Weight: 83kg
Recruited from: Box Hill Hawks
The Western Bulldogs have had tremendous success with turning VFL footballers into AFL stars and new recruit Lukas Markovic may just be the next in line.
The 22 year old played his junior football with South Croydon and later with the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup, before getting his first shot at AFL football.
He was rookie listed at Hawthorn for the 2006 Season but was delisted at the end of the year. However, he remained determined to play on with Box Hill, where he was named as a co-captain.
Despite the setbacks, the tall defender decided to knuckle down in the VFL and let his football do the talking.
“My mindset shifted after I was delisted in 2006. The next year I was determined to get my body right and try and get another chance in the AFL. The past two years have been all about being competitive and trying to win for Box Hill. Getting picked up was always at the back of my mind because I knew it could be a possibility, but it wasn’t at the forefront, which definitely helped,” Markovic said.
Club’s had been in discussions with Markovic to revive his AFL dream, but he could not be happier to be playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2010.
“It’s fantastic, the facilities are outstanding...it’s definitely on par with Hawthorn. From what I can tell this is just as good as it gets. I had my first run this morning and it seems like a really good bunch of blokes down here. So I am just looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting on with it,” Markovic said.
There is no doubt that it has been a difficult journey for Markovic and those close to him could not be happier that he is getting another chance.
“Mum and dad are absolutely wrapt, it has been a long road with a few injuries and obviously I had a chance a few years ago which means some people will have written me off. But I cannot wait to get another shot, I had about 50 messages within about 20 minutes I reckon which is great. That’s what I love, the support from my family and friends has been fantastic,” Markovic said.
While lining up alongside the likes of Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave and Dale Morris is something the new Bulldog is already looking forward to.
“Just watching those guys running around in the Finals last year, they are just fantastic players and I am looking forward to learning a few of their tricks. It’s going to be a really good learning curve for me,” Markovic said.
Recruiting and Football Partnerships Manager Simon Dalrymple believes Markovic will provide excellent cover in defence.
"We've done a lot of homework on his character and he's outstanding. We see him as insurance for Brian Lake, Dale Morris and Tom Williams. We needed another player in that range and we believe he has the attributes to play on the monsters close to goal," Dalrymple said.
