Player Watch #15 Sam Wicks

[Kennedy Parker]

Sam Wicks

Sam Wicks is a small forward with tidy skills below his knees and an outstanding awareness around goal. The QBE Sydney Swans Academy product was rookie-listed in November 2018 and was a consistent stand-out for the Sydney Swans’ NEAFL side in 2019. He became Sydney's fifth debutant of season 2020 when he was named to face Collingwood in Round 10, before finishing the season with seven appearances to his name. Wicks heads into 2021 fighting names like Tom Papley

11

Tom Papley

Age

28

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

12.3

3star

K

8.9

4star

HB

3.4

2star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.5

2star

G

2.4

5star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.6

5star

, Ben Ronke

25

Ben Ronke

Age

26

Ht

183cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.7

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.7

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

13.2

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

5.2

5star

G

2.4

5star

, Lewis Taylor

28

Lewis Taylor

Age

29

Ht

174cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.6

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.1

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

9.6

2star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.8

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.2

3star

CL

0.2

2star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

1.2

4star

and Sam Gray

15

Sam Gray

Age

32

Ht

176cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

8.4

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.8

4star

D

10.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

5.8

3star

M

2.2

2star

T

2.4

3star

G

0.2

3star

D

12.8

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.0

4star

for a spot in Sydney’s best 22.

Sam Wicks
DOB: 14 September 1999
DEBUT: 2020
DRAFT: #Undefined, 2018 Other
RECRUITED FROM: Manly-Warringah (NSW)/Sydney (NEAFL)

Sam Wicks | AFL

Follow Sam Wicks's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[the hypnotoad]

I feel like I’m watching a different player to some of you. He’s not just in the team because we don’t have a better option. He’s genuinely tough, smart and effective in the defensive forward role, while also getting more involved up the field than he ever has before. Looking from the outside he seems to have really matured from the fake tough guy who would give away free kicks and get himself suspended.

this is exactly what i think too ... he has matured considerably, and it is benefiting his and the team's play
wicks has secured his place in our best 22

 

[ashep]

Think he needs to start hitting the scoreboard to keep his place ahead of Parker when he's back, but agree he's a tier above anyone else in the VFL. Was solid on the weekend but a little fumbly and his tackling has fallen off a cliff this year.

If he's part of your bottom 6 then your side is going ok.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Agree with everyone that has said Wicks is in the team on merit and not because someone isn't snapping at his heels. He's significantly ahead of any potential replacements, it's not even a consideration imo.

Parker, maybe if you're purely trying to fit him in the side. But if that were to happen I'd seriously question that decision. Wicks is the perfect fit for that role and Parker doesn't bring what Wicks brings. He has a different skill set, but quick, manic pressure is not one of them. Based on team balance, I'm not turfing him out for Parker.

 

[Ticky009]

I think the SEN podcast posted today clarifies why Sam is a valued member of the team. Great work Sam!!

<refer to media thread for video>

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Agree with everyone that has said Wicks is in the team on merit and not because someone isn't snapping at his heels. He's significantly ahead of any potential replacements, it's not even a consideration imo.

Parker, maybe if you're purely trying to fit him in the side. But if that were to happen I'd seriously question that decision. Wicks is the perfect fit for that role and Parker doesn't bring what Wicks brings. He has a different skill set, but quick, manic pressure is not one of them. Based on team balance, I'm not turfing him out for Parker.

I’m going to watch carefully this week - because to my eye, the most forward 50 tackling pressure seems to come from Hayward.

Does Wicks provide “manic pressure” as the widely accepted narrative suggests?

I’ve only seen 1 live game this year (Freo) and I must admit, “manic pressure” wasn’t immediately obvious. Instead, he was typically positioned in the pocket, 30-50m out from goal often as a decoy.

But I do agree that he’s well ahead of anyone currently in the VFL & deserves the spot for the time being.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Well done Sam. You and Paps had them under the pump. Looked threatening all day.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Crazy he’s not in the squad this week

 

[caesar88]

Crazy he’s not in the squad this week

Why?

He was dropped. It doesn't accomplish much if he's just brought back after one half (where he wasn't very good.)

I'm a Wicks fan but I've always believed that "dropped" is not a dirty word. He needed to find form, so the best thing he can do right now is to be in the VFL so he can accomplish that.

I'd rather it happen now in July so that it gives him the best chance at being in the selection frame in September.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

That’s fair. Just thought he was ahead of others even with current form- was he injured in VFL to only play half a game ?

 

[Kbroome]

That’s fair. Just thought he was ahead of others even with current form- was he injured in VFL to only play half a game ?

Seems like he was the player held over in case of injury before game time in the AFL

 

[ashep]

I sure hope he starts to repay the faith of the coaching staff.

Clearly they see something in him, but he simply needs to do more when he's out there.

 

[The King!]

His tackling and pressure was normally after he spilled it or ****ed up today. I like him and I know his dad is on here but sorry, he needs to play VFL

 

[SeanM]

VFL team have got a bye then two more games left in the season.

I feel we need a specialist small forward who can try to crumb and lock the ball in our forward half.

I think they have to back Wicks to find form if Papley is out for a while. I prefer that to selecting extra midfielders and no small forward.

If they did drop Wicks for an extended period. I'd hope they would bring in someone from the reserves who can play small forward even if it is a untested young player.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Had 14 disposals along with a game high 8 tackles but could be suspended for a dump tackle on Ash Johnson

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Unfortunately he’ll likely get a 2-3 week suspension for the tackle given Johnson was concussed

 

[bloodsbigot]

Unfortunately he’ll likely get a 2-3 week suspension for the tackle given Johnson was concussed

He works best in tandem with Papley anyway.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

4 week suspension for Wicks

 

[Punts]

There goes your season

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Sucks for him. But while he's been out Parker has proven his worth to the team.

Wicks has a future, but I'd say it's curtains for him in 2024, which is unfortunate but he'd need the team to go deep in finals and injuries to hit.

He'd be pretty gutted right now.

But 2025 is a new campaign and he has time to prepare. All the best to him.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Woah 4 weeks club would be livid.

 

[RampeRobe]

Seems like a very harsh outcome looking at the incident

 

[Bloods86]

Not ideal for the VFL team either, but Hanily and Lloyd have been doing alright anyway.

 

[Kbroome]

Can take a holiday from now given i doubt VFL make the big dance and i doubt the seniors call him up for a prelim/GF off 5 weeks of no footy and add to that with Paps and Mcinernery + Melican still to return

 

[ashep]

4 weeks is way over the top. McCreery slamming Warner's head into the turf was a deliberate action and nada.

I've been a bit harsh on Wicks this year but I hope he can reset and play some consistent footy for us next season. His best is valuable, but he just needs to bring it more.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Let’s just hope the opponent makes a recovery. Just no need for it from
wicks, terrible look. Good opportunity for Hanily now