LeCras’ 12.2 on Saturday night was the best return from any player at Etihad Stadium and the third biggest haul from any Eagle, behind full-forwards Scott Cummings (14.1) and Peter Sumich (13.3).
The 23-year-old now has 50 goals for the season and is third in the Coleman Medal race, but teammate Matt Priddis said he would eventually add a different dimension to the Eagles’ young onball brigade.
“Once we get our full list up and going and the depth is there then I think he’ll definitely spend more time in the midfield,” Priddis said of LeCras, who has shown glimpses of his midfield talent as recently as round 15 against Adelaide.
“I think that’s why he’s so good, because he’s so versatile and he’s just so different. He’s got the goal-smarts and he knows how to find space, so he brings that to the midfield.
“I think he’ll add another dimension to us.”
Essendon would already know plenty about LeCras’ midfield ability after his best-on-ground performance against the Bombers at Subiaco Oval in round 18 last season.
That day, LeCras spurred his side to a win with 26 possessions and three goals rotating between the midfield and forward line, and teammate Chris Masten said he could play wherever he wants.
“He’s very offensive and that obviously comes from playing forward, but his skills are phenomenal and his touch is amazing,” Masten said.
“When he pushes forward on players, the opposition has to worry about him because he’ll kick goals if you give him a chance.
“I think that’s what he can add to a midfield, but if you can kick 12 goals why would you play anywhere else? Not many players can do that.
“His ability to play anywhere is really damaging for a side.”
West Coast coach John Worsfold revealed after Saturday night’s win that LeCras had been nursed through the season to an extent, but the coach has previously indicated that he has midfield plans for his star forward.
Wherever he ends up, with 32 goals from his last seven games the All-Australian jumper that eluded him last season appears a formality now, according to Masten.
“I backed him in last year and he should have been in it, so he’s got to be [this year],” Masten said.
“I’ve never seen anything like that ever in a game. Even junior football when you see players kick bags.
“He was playing on Dustin Fletcher, who is one of the better backs of the last decade, and even he was in awe and just shaking his head.
“He’s so smart. People don’t actually understand how smart he is on the football field.”
