ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights says the occasion of Scott Lucas's 250th AFL game shouldn't provide the team with any added motivation.
"I think he gave the side extra inspiration in his 249th, actually, just having him back out there," Knights said on Wednesday after Lucas returned from a knee injury sustained in round one.
"Having him back in the side last week was enormous for us. They straight away put Nathan Bock on him, who might be All-Australian centre half-back, so that shows you the respect that Scott has around the league.
"Wonderful last week, and a fantastic occasion for Scott and the Essendon Football Club this week, because he's been a true champion of the club."
Lucas debuted in round five 1996, a game notable for the fact that he had more handballs than kicks, and since then he has racked up 432 goals in his 249 games. And who could forget his seven in the last quarter in round 22 last year, when he single-handedly moved West Coast from a probable second position finish to third, condemning them to an away final against Port?
The man himself says he isn't making a lot of the milestone, but says his motivation levels are increasing along with his years and the circumstances.
"It's probably higher, the motivation – as you get older, I think there's the motivation to prove that you can still do what you did in your mid-20s," he said.
"Also, there's the motivation to see the club return to where you think it should be.
"I think it's easy when you're winning – it just becomes routine and habit, and you don't think too much about it, and you just roll along, but now everything's really up – the motivation, and looking over everything to make sure everyone's doing everything right, because of the need to, really."
The 30-year-old said he would love to be a one-club player, and said he could see the club winning another flag in the near future.
"Look, I'd certainly like to organise something that sees it beyond doubt that I'll be here to the end.
“If my time is four years, I think we're in with a big show (of winning a premiership), if my time is a year or two, then yeah, we're pushing it because these guys need games, and that takes time.
"But I think, going forward, things look good for the club."