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

27

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 King!]

Noticed him back today, his forward pressure is great

 

[Kapers]

Is more important than I realised tbh

 

[the hypnotoad]

there's no doubt wicks adds something to the team ... not sure he'll ever cram his stats sheet but there's an energy and hardness about him that we really miss when he's not there
and he seems generally pretty good in front of goal, takes his chances more often than not

 

[RUNVS]

there's no doubt wicks adds something to the team ... not sure he'll ever cram his stats sheet but there's an energy and hardness about him that we really miss when he's not there
and he seems generally pretty good in front of goal, takes his chances more often than not

We need strong forward pressure in the team given we have Amartey, McDonald and McLean up there. Now don't get me wrong, I like those three players, but they are not the best defensively, so someone like Wicks is definitely necessary.

 

[the hypnotoad]

We need strong forward pressure in the team given we have Amartey, McDonald and McLean up there. Now don't get me wrong, I like those three players, but they are not the best defensively, so someone like Wicks is definitely necessary.

yes, but i think he's considerably better than just a defensive small forward

 

[hairy biker]

We need strong forward pressure in the team given we have Amartey, McDonald and McLean up there. Now don't get me wrong, I like those three players, but they are not the best defensively, so someone like Wicks is definitely necessary.

Tackles I50 today;

Amartey 3, Grundy & Jordon 2, Wicks along with 6 others (incl McLean) 1 apiece.

If all the players come with the correct mindset our I50 tackling is fine.
When we have a spread of players laying tackles I50 we are a much better team.

Wicks can play his role, but we simply can't be dependent on one or two players to apply pressure up fwd.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Wicks is underrated, he's still young and developing so has exceeded expectations given his role is somewhat limited to a supporting role.

He can take the defensive-forward-with-attacking-mindset role to new levels if given the opportunity.

 

[Kirkswan]

yes, but i think he's considerably better than just a defensive small forward

Yep, I agree... His stats are below average pretty much always (disposals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles), but I think that more reflects that he is often used as sub. And those stats don't take into consideration the role he plays, his pressure, and his willingness to subsume self and play for the team.

My biggest beef with him is his temper... he's a bit of a hot-head who can do some really dumb stuff at times and at 24, I would have thought he'd have been past that now. But he definitely deserves to part of the best 24 or 25 each week in my view.

 

[caesar88]

There's nothing glamorous about it but putting defenders under pressure and making them nervous is as important as anything in footy in 2024. It's more than just tackles or body work. It's corralling and chasing and using speed to close opposition space, limit their time to get onto their preferred foot, get a run up to roost a kick out, etc.

No one does that stuff better than Wicks for us IMO.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Tackles I50 today;

Amartey 3, Grundy & Jordon 2, Wicks along with 6 others (incl McLean) 1 apiece.

If all the players come with the correct mindset our I50 tackling is fine.
When we have a spread of players laying tackles I50 we are a much better team.

Wicks can play his role, but we simply can't be dependent on one or two players to apply pressure up fwd.

Hairy we both know that pressure is a lot more than just tackles. It's great to see that spread, and some crucial ones amongst them, but filling the spaces and herding the cats don't get stats.

 

[bedford]

There's nothing glamorous about it but putting defenders under pressure and making them nervous is as important as anything in footy in 2024. It's more than just tackles or body work. It's corralling and chasing and using speed to close opposition space, limit their time to get onto their preferred foot, get a run up to roost a kick out, etc.

No one does that stuff better than Wicks for us IMO.

Big Cox said that today pre match on SEN

 

[the hypnotoad]

Yep, I agree... His stats are below average pretty much always (disposals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles), but I think that more reflects that he is often used as sub. And those stats don't take into consideration the role he plays, his pressure, and his willingness to subsume self and play for the team.

My biggest beef with him is his temper... he's a bit of a hot-head who can do some really dumb stuff at times and at 24, I would have thought he'd have been past that now. But he definitely deserves to part of the best 24 or 25 each week in my view.

clearly, temper-wise, he's matured on the field ... his natural feistiness (aggression) a lot more controlled this season, and it has made him a better player ... and we're a better team for what he brings

 

[Tedeski]

Anyone notice the lack of celebration from Sams teammates after his goals today?

 

[caesar88]

Have it on good authority that there's no issues with Wicks. His relationships with most of the boys is as they always were. He's just matured and wanting to get on with his footy, not as big on the crazy celebrations and doesn't need all the boys getting around him like that.

 

[Jewelsbon]

Have it on good authority that there's no issues with Wicks. His relationships with most of the boys is as they always were. He's just matured and wanting to get on with his footy, not as big on the crazy celebrations and doesn't need all the boys getting around him like that.

By the look of how they are playing, that sounds far more feasible.

 

[Olian]

Anyone notice the lack of celebration from Sams teammates after his goals today?

Not sure if you aren’t looking for something that isn't there. His first goal today was a very good goal.

Papley was happy to celebrate. No surprise there.

 

[wills2g]

we'd be on top of the ladder if he played against richmond

i hope theres nothing wrong internally, we can actually keep the ball in our fwd line with him in it

 

[Callipygian]

Had an excellent game. Exactly what we ask of him. Exerted good pressure and snagged a couple of goals to boot.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Had an excellent game. Exactly what we ask of him. Exerted good pressure and snagged a couple of goals to boot.

And set up chances for others

 

[J_Moore]

Anyone notice the lack of celebration from Sams teammates after his goals today?

Everyone celebrated his first one.

His second one he strolled into the goal square 40m ahead of every other player, to put us 8 goals up, halfway through the second quarter, against a clear rabble of a rebuilding side.

You wouldn’t want to carry on too much.

 

[bedford]

Have it on good authority that there's no issues with Wicks. His relationships with most of the boys is as they always were. He's just matured and wanting to get on with his footy, not as big on the crazy celebrations and doesn't need all the boys getting around him like that.

Some A hole started this poo on X

 

[the hypnotoad]

Had an excellent game. Exactly what we ask of him. Exerted good pressure and snagged a couple of goals to boot.

wicks takes his chances, usually manages to grab a goal or two ... another important part of his game

 

[S120]

I've tended to be wanting to replace Wicks with someone a little more skilled as a small forward - I love his endeavour and chasing/tackling but his skill hasn't been quite sharp enough in the past IMO. But his form this year has been excellent and he has been taking his chances in front of goal. He's made himself essential to the side - we need him playing this particular role moving forward until such time as another player shows consistently they can do it better and frankly I'm nowhere near convinced Konstanty will demonstrate that if he has yet to get particularly close to a debut. This role is one that young 18/19 yo's have shown they can play early in their careers - not like rucks/key position players where they take a lot of time to do the role consistently at seniors level.

 

[Ralphyboy]

Caesar88

 

[J_Moore]

Caesar88

Hope the lad’s doing ok. He’s playing some great footy.