By Mathew Asciak
Having made the move from Richmond VFL in at the start of the 2021 VFL season, versatile Lion Luke Nelson has become a mainstay at Coburg as he approaches the midway point of this 3rd season at Piranha Park.
Growing up as the third of five boys in a Geelong Cats-mad household in Melbourne’s’ South-Eastern suburb Narre Warren South, the lure of our beautiful game was inevitable. Beginning his footballing journey at Auskick, as is the case with all young aspiring footy heads.
“(My dad) got us into footy at five or six and then down into junior footy at Fountain Gate initially, because they were Geelong colours,” Nelson explained. Nelson, 25, attributes his love of the game to his father Mark, who seemingly “passed on” his love for footy to him and was spurred on by his brothers.
“Watching footy, you know, just itching to get to Friday night every week to watch the footy or go out in the backyard and play… and from a young age (I) was very competitive with my two older brothers. The drive to be my best and give everything 100% came from the love of the game and being competitive,” Nelson explained.
He would move across the Narre South Lions for a short stint and then complete his junior footy career at Berwick Juniors, where he would make the start to his senior career.
“I started my senior career at about (age) 17/18, won a flag with them as an 18-year-old, which was pretty cool, pretty special,” Nelson said. Topping off the premiership celebrations, one the two elder Nelson brothers also had premiership success for Berwick in the reserves Grand Final.
Following the premiership success, his footballing journey would find new ground at the Noble Park Bulls in 2017, playing in the Division 1 Seniors in the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL). Across three seasons at Noble Park, Nelson would kick 50 goals from 47 appearances, averaging just over a goal and a half a game, before joining Richmond’s VFL side midway through 2019.
Despite only playing a handful of games for the Tigers, who were the eventual premiers in 2019 after beating Williamstown, Nelson reflects on that period of his career that garnered the most growth from a footballing perspective.
“In terms of football experiences, it was probably the most growth I’ve had as a footballer, and it was only in an 18-month timespan. A lot of credit has to go to Richmond, who at the time had a really good system and connection on and off the field, which was great,” Nelson said.
Despite missing out on playing on Grand Final day, Nelson was an asset to the forward stocks in his stint at Punt Road, kicking 13 goals in just 7 games. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, Nelson found a rare opportunity to continue to play footy interstate, securing a spot in Tasmania for Hobart based side, Lauderdale.
“I was grateful and privileged to get out of Melbourne when I did, there are pros and cons, as I have a girlfriend down here and family. I had a friend Nathan Oakes from Richmond VFL where I was at the time and we thought it would be a great opportunity go up for about three months, as it was a shortened season,” Nelson explained.
Ensuring the opportunity did not go to waste, Nelson made significant impact at Lauderdale, leading the club’s goalkicking with 18 goals from just 11 games which helped the Bombers reach the preliminary final, but would be knocked out by eventual premiers Launceston. The experience playing in Tasmania also exposed Nelson to a different brand of footy, noting that the style was “a bit more physical (than VFL) and the grounds were a bit bigger than I was used to playing football for Noble Park,” Nelson explained.
With a great eye for goal and great pace, the 174cm forward would make a name for himself as a prolific goal scoring threat but would move further afield onto the wing once he made the transition to Coburg under the tutelage of former coach Andrew Sturgess and current head coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara.
“I’ve always loved kicking goals; I think everyone does. A lot of my assets suited that role, but obviously Jamie coming in, new coach, seeing different styles to your game, different ways you can play… moving up the ground and having a bit more of an impact, rolling back into defence and connecting to the forwards. It’s been good and I’ve enjoyed it but whatever role the team needs me for I’m willing to play,” Nelson said.
One of the Nelson’s younger brothers’, Tom, is currently training with the Lions as he looks to follow in Luke’s footsteps and the youngest Nelson sibling is currently at the Dandenong Stingrays.
“The two older brothers, the oldest not currently playing but the second oldest is playing at Burke Springs with the one just younger than me, which is Tom, 20, who is currently training with us on Tuesday nights and the youngest is at the Dandenong Stingrays this year, hoping to get drafted,” Nelson said.
Residing in Hawthorn, Nelson, 25, completed his Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Deakin University and is currently doing CRT work and is also a sports coach at Carey Baptist Grammar School. “When I left school, I thought teaching was the profession for me. There are a few different aspects I really enjoy; the main one being just seeing the kids have those lightbulb moments when they learn something new or the excitement, they get from just having fun and learning new skills,” Nelson explained.
Away from playing sports and teaching, Nelson is an avid sports viewer and music lover. “I am a massive fan of Chelsea FC, love watching the NBA and I do love my music. Depending on the mood I’m in, I dive into a lot of different stuff but probably the hip hop rap scene. Then head to the Flume and Rufus, those styles, going to live music is a hobby of mine. I love picking up a book whether it’s an autobiography from an athlete or mindset book like a self-help book or even a fantasy like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings,” Nelson explained.
He is also a keen golfer and has hit the greens on multiple occasions with fellow wingman, Nathan Boucher. “I’ve played with a few times and Bouch is very handy at Golf and would play a lot more than me. I try and get out once every couple of weeks or so but my focus being Football takes a lot of my attention,” Nelson said.
Looking ahead to plans in the off-season and beyond, Nelson looks to set his sights abroad, looking to travel once his life outside footy is more settled.
“I’ve been to New Zealand, but I’ve wanted to get all my ducks in a row before doing all of Europe or anything like that but having my degree now, working a fair bit, feeling more settled living in Hawthorn with my partner so I’m not so far from Coburg. I think everything is lining up really well and I am very grateful for the way I was brought up, for my parents and everyone who has supported me to get where I am,” Nelson said.
A strong drive and willingness to apply himself to any task will hold Luke Nelson in good stead as the 2023 Mid-Season Rookie Draft fast approaches. No doubt his exploits have caught the eye of recruiters and are well aware of what Nelson brings to the table.
