Hicks' tricks on AFL stage Laura Jolly
Leader
August 08, 2010 4:09PM ROBBIE Hicks was pulling on his socks to play for Coburg in the VFL last weekend when he took an urgent call from Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan. Everything had changed.
Hicks, 18, had been named to play for Richmond's VFL affiliate, Coburg. But the Moonee Ponds resident instead ended up making his AFL debut in Richmond's gritty 20-point win over Adelaide the following day.
Better still, he kicked his first goal in the game-changing third term which saw the Tigers out-score the Crows six goals to two.
"It was very, very exiting," the former Calder Cannon told Leader.
Playing an AFL match on the hallowed turf of the MCG was the fulfilment of a childhood dream for Hicks, and he admitted feeling nervous before the match.
"I don't sleep well before games ... so I didn't sleep very well Friday," he said.
"Then on Saturday night I reckon I woke up at 3am and I didn't go back to sleep after that.
"(But) running through the banner and walking out on to the MCG before the game was an amazing feeling."
As well as his goal, Hicks collected seven disposals but commented he "would have liked a few more touches".
"But the game was a lot more quick than I'm used to," he said.
"The coach was happy and I did all the things I was supposed to, so hopefully I'll get another game in the next couple of weeks."
Hicks was promoted from Richmond's rookie list late last month alongside Irishman Jamie O'Reilly, the pair replacing the injured Nathan Foley and Adam Thomson. His elevation was apt reward for a strong showing in the VFL this season.
After playing the first seven games of the season in Coburg's reserves, Hicks was promoted to the seniors in Round 8. He then booted 12 goals from seven VFL senior matches before his AFL call-up.
The former Doutta Stars junior, who was a member of Calder's 2009 TAC Cup premiership side, said things had moved extremely quickly. "Two months ago I was playing in the reserves. Then I jumped to the ones, then last weekend I made my (AFL) debut."
It is a long way from the uncertain position he was in last November. After missing selection in the 2009 National Draft, Hicks put everything into pre-season training with Richmond.
He was hoping to be picked up as a rookie. To his relief his name was read out by the Tigers with their seventh pick in the rookie draft.
Hicks said he was relishing life at an AFL club.
"Everyone (at Richmond) is very positive and there's a strong focus on development and learning this year. Because there's such a strong focus on learning, the same structure and game plan is played throughout the levels, so it's the same at Richmond as it as at Coburg and in the Coburg reserves," he said.
Living near home was also a bonus, he said. "I'm still at home with mum and dad. I get stuck in traffic going into training, but mum does a lot for me and so does dad."
Hicks offered some advice to his former Calder Cannons teammates, who are aiming for this year's draft. "Try as much as you can not to stress out," he said.
"My head went at a million-miles-an-hour this time last year, thinking, 'Will someone take me?'.
"They should try and take their mind off the draft and focus on finishing their schooling, or if they're not at school, just focus on doing everything right and having a good finish to the season."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hicks-tricks-on-afl-stage/story-fn53khop-1225902681997
