In the Nicks of time?

[JudesaGun]

I remember walking out of a game at colonial stadium a few years ago, having just seen one of the most brave efforts from our boys as we defeated Collingwood without a bench for most of the game; and a caller rang in to discuss who would take over as captain when Kelly retired. The Triple M broadcasters all put up some names including Matthews, Maxfield and even Kennelly but the one name that seemed to draw the most support was Matthew Nicks. I remember at the time thinking it would be a great choice for the club. Nicks showed such great leadership, passion and skill - even being thrown up as a possible half forward in the AA team for that year - that's how good he was going! A year or two latter and although Nicks has been out injured for most of the year, he is just a shadow of the player he once was. I read an article early this year saying how he had just not kicked as many goals since Paul Roos had taken over and that he was really pushing himself to have a great season in 2003. To date, that has not happened.

With Nicks getting another chance in the team this week, it really could be now or never for Nicksy. There has been talk that he would be one player Sydney might get some trade value for and with the inclusions of Schnieder and Davis this year, it seems like the team could well cover for his absense and even welcome a tall defender on the other side of a trade. Finals are the times when those unknown players can step up and make a name for themselves. I still see Nicks as a future captain of the swans but the finals could well be his last chance.

[sharpie]

I used to think he was great. I remember when you are talking about. However, he has missed his chance for captaincy coz he's now too old, especially if Stuey plays for another few years

[Sanecow]

I hope he plays a blinder. He is capable of it!

[Charlie]

Either:
a) Nicks hasn't got a clue about the Roos doctrine.
b) Roos doesn't know how to fit Nicks into his gameplan.

Regardless of which it is, 2 weeks before Paul Roos took over as coach, Matty Nicks was playing fantastic footy and was in the top 3 of the TLM at the time. Then Roosy came in, and it's all gone downhill from there. What exactly does he add to the side these days?

I think a trade would be in the best interests of both parties, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

[JudesaGun]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I hope he plays a blinder. He is capable of it!

When was that game where he kicked 6 in the second half at the SCG in the rain??

The guy has all teh attributes and could well be a match winner on Sunday. He was pretty funny on the Footy Show last nigth as well...I think his comment was something like (answering Eddie's question about the great support teh club is getting in SYdney):
"Yeah definitely. It was great to get 73,00 people to that game at Stadium Australia a few weeks ago when we were playing ...(looks at Jude)...who was it...(looks back at Eddie)....Oh, doesn't matter anyway!"

[pillowtalk]

and even Kennelly

Do you mean Tadhg? A few years ago?- he would have still been running around in Ireland !!!

Nicks does have great leadership but his football just hasn't been up to scratch. I can't see the swans giving him captaincy if his future in the seniors is in doubt. I hope he is back to his best this Sunday for his sake and the swans!

[JudesaGun]

Originally posted by Charlie
Either:
a) Nicks hasn't got a clue about the Roos doctrine.
b) Roos doesn't know how to fit Nicks into his gameplan.

Regardless of which it is, 2 weeks before Paul Roos took over as coach, Matty Nicks was playing fantastic footy and was in the top 3 of the TLM at the time. Then Roosy came in, and it's all gone downhill from there. What exactly does he add to the side these days?

I think a trade would be in the best interests of both parties, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

I don't think it was either. Roos just played him more in teh midfield and he wasn't kickinga s much goals and lost his confidence a bit. Still i think teh midfield is teh best place for him, especially if Cresswell retires and with Maxfield having less impact.

Just imagine a Sydney team with the midfield setup/rotation of:

Nick Davis
Jude Bolton
Matthew Nicks
Brett Kirk

Ruck: Doyle/ Goodes/ Ball

You've got everything there:
- toughness
- skill
- marking ability
- pace
- goal kicking talent

[JudesaGun]

Originally posted by pillowtalk
Do you mean Tadhg? A few years ago?- he would have still been running around in Ireland !!!

Nicks does have great leadership but his football just hasn't been up to scratch. I can't see the swans giving him captaincy if his future in the seniors is in doubt. I hope he is back to his best this Sunday for his sake and the swans!

I think it was his first year in teh team and Kelly still had a year or 2 left in him. Kennelly ahd only been around a bit but a lot of people were saying Sydney shoudl take a punt on an unproven young guy as the next captain - much like they did with Kelly.

[pillowtalk]

He was pretty funny on the Footy Show last nigth as well

He would have to be one of the funniest at the club. Brilliant sense of humour. Wish he played football as good as his ability to make people laugh!

Interesting point Charlie about Roos. So many of the players seemed to step up when Eade left - why did Nicks go backwards? Not that I think he has been that bad, more quiet if anything, and he is definately not the worst.

[JudesaGun]

Originally posted by pillowtalk
He would have to be one of the funniest at the club. Brilliant sense of humour. Wish he played football as good as his ability to make people laugh!

Interesting point Charlie about Roos. So many of the players seemed to step up when Eade left - why did Nicks go backwards? Not that I think he has been that bad, more quiet if anything, and he is definately not the worst.

What about Benny Fixter? Has he been injured all year? He was really developing into a good back pocket player last year

[pillowtalk]

What about Benny Fixter? Has he been injured all year?

Yep poor bugger. Had a foot problem at the beginning then he did his hamstring. Came back to the reserves for a minute before being ruled out for the rest of the season. He will be firing to go next year!

[Nico]

The Swans supporters who I know in Melbourne to a person say that Nicks played his best footy off half back where he run through the centre and drive it deep into the Plugger direction. He played the Eade flooding game very well.

He had a couple of injuries then Eade started playing him up forward, where he showed touches of brilliance, but the side seemed to lose a bit without his run.

For mine he is a straight ahead player who does not relish players in his face as a forward.

[hammo]

It's not bad when we can call in a player of Nicks' experience for a final.

I think he'll play really well... hopefully kick a couple of goals and help us to a big win.

[Dpw]

Agree with Charlie, just hope he can kick a few to fill the gap.

[no1swan]

We've got a few South Australian boys in our line up. Nicks is one of them. So, hopefully they'll all play blinders infront of their families, friends and of course the Swans supporters going to game.

2003 is our year....