The young footballer brought down by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in an awkward mishap on the pitch is doing well and is looking forward to going to school on Thursday, his club confirmed, praising the boy’s “determination”.
“The values of our club are determination, effort and respect,” the Strikers said on Facebook.
“We think Luca showed a lot of determination and effort to prevent the PM from scoring at all costs!
“The latest election star is doing well and looking forward to being the star of the school show tomorrow!”
Morrison responded to the post by thanking Luca for being “such a good athlete.”
“It’s great to chat with you and your mom tonight and hear that everything is fine,” he said.
“I enjoyed our chat about your love of football and hearing that you’ve had three hat-tricks already.”
Elizabeth Howes, who said her son was also in the field at the time, said she would not have given such a positive reaction.
“You were playing with my son in that game,” he said.
“I am furious that you were allowed to play and potentially injured my son.
“He didn’t know who you were, he thought people taking pictures of him were amazing.”
Morrison had been invited to join the practice match, still in his formal shirt, tie and shoes, during a visit to the football club in the fringe constituency of Braddon in northern Tasmania.
The Liberal leader, eager to get into action, shot from the outside of the field towards the ball, his tie flapping over his shoulder.
Unfortunately, with his eye on the ball, he seemed to stumble and bump into Luca.
The young player was knocked down by Morrison, who landed on top of him.
Morrison tossed the red-haired young jock on top of him in a
awkward hug, before sitting down looking dazed.
Once the couple recovered, the prime minister gave him a high five.
Liberal Gavin Pearce has Braddon by a narrow margin of 3.1 percent.