Sam Wicks Explained

Sam Wicks
Birth Date:14 September 1999
Birth Place:Manly, New South Wales
Originalteam:Sydney Swans (NEAFL)/ Manly Warringah Giants
Draftpick:2018 Category B Rookie Selection
Debutdate:6 August 2020
Debutstadium:The Gabba
Height:180 cm
Weight:80 kg
Position:Forward
Guernsey:45
Statsend:round 11, 2024
Years1:2019–
Games Goals1:59 (42)

Sam 'Candles' 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 's 9 point loss to 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 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] |-| 2019 || || 45| 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|-| 2020 || || 45| 7 || 3 || 1 || 31 || 27 || 58 || 15 || 32 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 4.4 || 3.9 || 8.3 || 2.1 || 4.6|-| 2021 || || 45| 22 || 17 || 18 || 143 || 102 || 245 || 65 || 89 || 0.7 || 0.8 || 6.5 || 4.6 || 11.1 || 2.9 || 4.0|-| 2022 || || 15| 10 || 4 || 4 || 43 || 48 || 91 || 21 || 25 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 4.3 || 4.8 || 9.1 || 2.1 || 2.5|- class=sortbottom! colspan=3 | Career! 39 !! 24 !! 23 !! 217 !! 177 !! 394 !! 101 !! 146 !! 0.6 !! 0.6 !! 5.6 !! 4.5 !! 10.1 !! 2.6 !! 3.7|}

Notes and References

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