Former Rugby Star DOMINATING in the West
Not until 2018 did Western co-captain Lucca Grego pick up a Sherrin.
The Jets teenager grew up in Queensland with dreams of playing in the NRL, and memories centred around the Melbourne Storm when his family relocated south.
Lucca’s Dad, James, held an off-field role at the Storm during the 2024 draft prospect’s childhood, enabling him to forge bonds with some of the NRL’s biggest names.
"NRL was everything to me at one stage - I played for Victoria in under 12s and that’s when that dream of playing NRL started lifting," Grego said.
[FULL INTERVIEW: If you like what you're reading, read the FULL Lucca Grego interview HERE!!]
"I would hang around the Melbourne Storm a lot, kick balls with Cameron Smith and was really good mates with Cameron Munster so being around those boys and seeing their professionalism and seeing them love rugby league made me want to be a professional and love rugby league."
Lucca Grego pictured as a 12 year old in his Altona Roosters gear. He was selected to the U12 Victorian state team.
Among his most potent and symbolic memories was foxing balls for Smith - the former Storm skipper and among the best players of all time.
It provides context for the process-driven mindset which has propelled the hard nut into draft contention.
Grego, with the assistance of Dad, James, has a systems-based approach and mechanisms in place to keep him balanced off the field.
One element of his preparation which has captured attention around Crofts Reserve has been his strict adherence to diet.
“There’s a bit of a running joke with the boys but I do actually get my Mum to measure out my food every now and then so I make sure I’m getting in what my body needs so it can help with my recovery,” he says with a smile.
“The boys do take the piss out of it a bit but to me it’s just my process and my way of feeling good on a weekend and in game.”
