Port Adelaide forward Jack Lukosius is fit and ready to attack 2026 after a frustrating first season at Alberton.
The 25-year-old was part of a high-profile trade last off-season and has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of in his seven games for the club so far.
Speaking with the Adelaide media on Monday, Lukosius spoke on pre-season so far, new forward line personnel and keeping fit in 2026.
Lukosius on pre-season so far
“It’s been good. As you said, lots has changed. We've got, you know, a whole new staff working with us players, and there's a good feeling amongst the group, as you guys can probably see, watching on. So it's an exciting time.”
Lukosius on the new coaching group
“I've had four coaches in four years now with what I've been through. So I’m just rolling with it again. We were on the same page, we knew Carry (Josh Carr) was coming in. So we've kind of been ready for this, and we're all just embracing all the new things we're doing.
Lukosius on seeking stability for the rest of his career
“Yeah, absolutely. Not much went right for me this year. And yeah, I’ve put a heap of work in to get some resilience back in my body and give myself every chance to have a great 2026, so yeah, hopefully me going well can help the group have a better year next year.”
Lukosius on his injury setbacks in 2025
“The setbacks were definitely frustrating, especially with backs and calves, you've got to give them time. And it's not like you can grind through them. You've got to be a bit more patient. I was definitely tested mentally throughout 2025 and now that I'm feeling good and it's November, December, that's not the time not to be feeling good. So yes, putting the work in there to set myself up to have a better ’26.
Lukosius on his rehab
“I’ve done a heap of stuff. The first (injury) was mid-March, and I've somewhat been in rehab since then. I think I’ve put three weeks of footy together. So we've done stints of rehab stuff with my calves, my knees and my back. I saw a biomechanics guy, I've done a heap of testing and stuff like that. So I feel like we're in a good spot. We know more about my body than I ever had beforehand. And when I'm feeling things happen, I know where I'm at, so feel like I'm in a good spot to push the boundaries and get fitter and stronger.”
Lukosius on whether this pre-season is different for him
“Not really, I've been pretty lucky before this year. I've had good off-seasons. Haven't been injured, so I kind of just needed to take the time with my calves because I got injured with maybe three rounds to go, I just took an extended period before I came back to running and got really strong with my glutes, my knees, my quads, my calves, to support everything a bit better. So probably just taking that bit of time then has allowed a stronger base coming into strong training in November and December.”
Lukosius on being home in SA during a tough year
“Yeah, it was good. Those tough times I just spoke about before, when I was getting injections or surgery and stuff, and mum would pick me up from the airport and I’d have family around. Or when the team was playing interstate, I could go see some mates, so that was an important period. But yeah, I'm looking forward to having them at Adelaide Oval, not at the hospital.”
Lukosius on Zak Butters
“Zak’s very happy here, he loves the footy club. He's played his best footy here, and I think the pull is always going to be there to go home. But our job is to make this a great place to play footy, for him to play well, and us to be challenging. So I think if everyone's holding up their end, I think we’re just going to make it a very hard place for him to leave. I know how much he does love playing here. So yeah, hopefully we have a great year and can keep him.
“I think he's had (the speculation about leaving) it as well the whole time since he's come here. So I think it's just part of being a good player. He's going to cop that. I think he's handling it really well. He's back in training at the moment and flying and we're keen to place some good footy with him.”
Lukosius on a fresh start this year
“There's new eyes on you in terms of footy stuff, but also, gym and all different facets, we've got a fair turnover (of staff). So I think there's plenty to learn off new people that are coming in. And there's new eyes and you get different opinions on how you're going as well. So I think it's an exciting time for anyone at the club that they can start a great career from here.”
Lukosius on the changes to the forward line
“Durds (Corey Durdin) has been great since he's come in. He almost vomited on me the other day after the two-km time trial! But I think that shows what he's brought. He's thrown himself at the pre-season and got the respect that way. And I think Reeva (Darren Reeves), the new forwards coach, has really grabbed us as well. He's been really proactive in getting to know us all and trying to implement what Josh is wanting us to do. So, yeah, it's tough to know, it's only December, but we're all trying to buy into what Josh is trying to bring.”
Lukosius on Jaidyn Stephenson
“He's definitely still got all the talent that made him a great player early in his career, and has come in with everything you'd want from a train on. He’s been training hard, doing all these extras and ticking every box, so he's putting his best foot forward, that's for sure. And I think the group’s accepted him, and he's fitting in really well. He hasn't stood out that he's played local footy last year at all. So he's come in in a good spot. I think he must have done the work at the back end of the year, into the off-season, to give himself every chance. So he's looking like an AFL footballer.”
