St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey is one of the most improved players at Linen House Centre this season, relishing the responsibility of being the Saints sole ruckman in the opening quarter of 2016.
Having previously played second fiddle to Billy Longer, Hickey grasped his opportunity in Round 1 with a dominant performance against Port Adelaide’s Matthew Lobbe and hasn’t looked back since.
The Queensland native played 11 games last season as he fought for a spot in Alan Richardson’s best 22, but only one as the sole ruckman. In all five games this season, Hickey has held the No. 1 mantle, leading an evolving engine room.
Hickey, 25, has played the seventh most minutes of any St Kilda player this season, averaging 105:56 (86.8 per cent) of each game. And it’s that increased exposure to senior football and the fierce competition for spots Hickey attributes to the spike in his improvement.
“I think it’s always going to improve your game if you get the opportunity to play 100 minutes in the ruck every week,” Hickey told saints.com.au on Thursday.
“I didn’t really get to do it much last year, so I’m really relishing the opportunity to get out there and play as much as I can.
“I think I was lucky enough to get the nod for Round 1 and I’ve just been able to hold my spot.
“I’m definitely not comfortable sitting in the role because I know there’s three good ruckmen behind me that are playing good footy.
“I know as soon as I play a bad game I put my hand up to (be dropped). So it is spurring me on heaps.”
A week after facing star Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford, the task doesn’t get any easier for Hickey, with Max Gawn awaiting next. The Melbourne ruckman has taken the AFL by storm in the first stage of 2016, emerging behind North Melbourne All Australian Todd Goldstein as the premier big man in the competition.
Gawn leads the league for total hitouts (40.8), hitouts to advantage (16.0) and is second for hitout winning percentage (51.4%) and Champion Data ranking points for ruckmen (123.4). Although Hickey isn’t far behind the budding superstar, with the former Gold Coast Sun ranked fifth for hitouts (32.8) and hitouts to advantage (12.0).
And whilst Hickey is yet to play against Gawn at AFL level, he did face the Demons ruckman in St Kilda’s final NAB Challenge clash in March, halving the contest and taking confidence from the performance, which has set the tone for his impressive start to 2016.
“I’d say he is the in-form ruckman in the competition. Not too much changes this week, it’s just preparation (as per usual). I versed Mumford last week and if I’m around the next few weeks it doesn’t get any easier,” Hickey said.
“So it’s the same preparation, but I’m really conscious I’m up against one of the best ruckmen in the comp.
“I got to play against him in NAB 3, so I’ll take a bit out of that knowing I matched it with him a little bit with him. I only played a half though, so it’s all different when it’s for four points so I’ve just got to try my best.”
Hickey knows a start doesn’t make a season. But what has helped put him on the right path this season is a sound pre-season on the track, something he hasn’t been able to construct during his time at the Saints.
“I probably didn’t have a pre-season last year (ahead of 2015) coming from knee surgery, so to have some real continuity in my running and training has really helped me. I’m probably more confident in my body each week coming into games, it just helps with your prep,” Hickey said.
