Sam Wicks

Sam Wicks
Wicks in July 2019
Personal information
Nickname(s) Wicksy, Candles
Date of birth (1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Manly, New South Wales
Original team(s) Sydney Swans (NEAFL)/ Manly Warringah Giants
Draft 2018 Category B Rookie Selection
Debut 6 August 2020, Sydney vs. Collingwood, at The Gabba
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 80 kg (176 lb)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Sydney
Number 45
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2019– Sydney 59 (42)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 11, 2024.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Sam Wicks (born 14 September 1999) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was selected by the Sydney Swans as a Category B rookie from the NSW zone.[1]

Early football

Wicks played junior football for the Manly Bombers and Manly Warringah Wolves.[2][3] In 2010, Wicks joined the Sydney Swans Academy. In June 2017, Wicks earned a Rising Star nomination in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).[4]

AFL career

2020 season: debut

Wicks was elevated to Sydney's senior list in June 2020, alongside teammate Barry O'Connor.[5] Wicks debuted in Sydney's 9 point loss to Collingwood in Round 10 of the 2020 AFL season.[2][6][7] In his first game, Wicks picked up 1 goal, 9 disposals, 1 mark and 6 tackles.[8] On his debut, Wicks was involved with a controversy surrounding the material of his boots after Collingwood player Isaac Quaynor sustained a large gash on his leg while attempting to tackle Wicks. The steel studs on the boots Wicks was wearing for the match were ruled as non-league compliant. Neither Sydney or Wicks were sanctioned, but were given a warning.[9][10]

2021 season

Wicks quickly took his performances up a notch from the previous season, averaging 15.3 disposals and 2 goals a game after just three games. He had his breakout performance in Round 3, where he kicked 3 goals and 2 behinds, as well as collecting 21 disposals,[11] in what was to be a game that saw him named best on ground, receiving the 10 AFLCA votes for that round.[12]

Statistics

Updated to the end of the 2022 season.[13]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2019 Sydney 45 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2020[a] Sydney 45 7 3 1 31 27 58 15 32 0.4 0.1 4.4 3.9 8.3 2.1 4.6
2021 Sydney 45 22 17 18 143 102 245 65 89 0.7 0.8 6.5 4.6 11.1 2.9 4.0
2022 Sydney 15 10 4 4 43 48 91 21 25 0.4 0.4 4.3 4.8 9.1 2.1 2.5
Career 39 24 23 217 177 394 101 146 0.6 0.6 5.6 4.5 10.1 2.6 3.7
  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ^ "Swans secure second Academy product". Sydney Swans Media. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Wicks dream to come true". Sydney Swans Media. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  3. ^ "From star struck teen to AFL rising star". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  4. ^ Webster, Jess (14 June 2017). "Academy: Wicks taking NEAFL by storm". Sydney Swans Media. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  5. ^ "O'Connor and Wicks elevated". Sydney Swans Media. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Wicks latest to debut under Longmire". Sydney Swans Media. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  7. ^ Wood, Lauren; Williams, Rebecca; Thomas-Wilson, Simeon; Turner, Matt (6 August 2020). "AFL teams for Round 10: All the ins and outs". Herald Sun. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Round 10 • Collingwood v Sydney Swans - Player Stats". Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  9. ^ Noakes, Cameron; McGowan, Marc (7 August 2020). "Not compliant: AFL gives Wicks' boots thumbs down, Swans apologise". AFL Media. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  10. ^ Dinjaski, Melanie; De Silva, Chris. "AFL boss responds to boot stud investigation after Magpies star's shin split 'six or eight inches open'". Nine News. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  11. ^ Laughton, Max; Balmer, Matt; Zita, David; Waterworth, Ben (4 April 2021). "Five stunning sides earn top marks, two get embarrassing F grades: AFL Rd 3 Report Card". Fox Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Coaches' votes, R3: 10-vote Tex surges clear, Swans dominate". AFL Media. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Sam Wicks". AFL Tables. Retrieved 11 November 2020.