Matthew Nicks

[Dave]

Good to see Nicksy getting a bit of form back.

That mark and goal he got was fantastic. (can't remember the 1/4) He used to be such a sweet kick and last night he was showing some vintage form IMO.

[Dpw]

It is good to see he is able to provide something while we need him, however I feel he is really marking time untill we have a fill list to choose from. With injurys the way they are he should hold his spot in the 22 for almost the rest of the season, he may even give Roo's a reason to extend his contract beyond this season.

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Dpw
It is good to see he is able to provide something while we need him, however I feel he is really marking time untill we have a fill list to choose from. With injurys the way they are he should hold his spot in the 22 for almost the rest of the season, he may even give Roo's a reason to extend his contract beyond this season.

I think that may be a bit harsh. I think he still has the ability to be in our best 22, his only problem at the moment being that he fades in and out of the game too much. He can still take a good grab, and without back troubles has a reliable kick.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by sharpie
I think that may be a bit harsh. I think he still has the ability to be in our best 22, his only problem at the moment being that he fades in and out of the game too much. He can still take a good grab, and without back troubles has a reliable kick.

Thats really my point at his age hes not going to get any better and I feel he played his best at half back but that now has been taken with plenty of guns in the waiting, thats why I believe he is a handy top up player.

[sharpie]

I agree he has definitely been surpassed in terms of half back flankers. But I think now he is one of our top picks for HFF. Plus remember he is still probably getting his match fitness up, takes a bit longer now that he's a granddaddy of the side .

Speaking of grandpas and match fitness, I was really impressed with Magic's game. Some of his roving around the loose ball in the forward line was reminiscent of his best, and he started really working well up the ground, even if it was because his opponent was trying to drag him away from the forward line. A definite improvement from the West Coast game when he was really struggling for fitness.

[Captain]

Yep Nickys played a ripper.

He is definately in our best 22 and still has a lot to offer.

I hope this means some people on this site will stop bagging him now.

[taurus]

Nicks has the knack of it again
By James MacSmith
May 30, 2004

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Reborn Swan Matthew Nicks has vowed to turn back the clock and again become an integral part of the Sydney footballing machine.

He admits his form since he was chosen for the international rules series at the end of 2001 has been disappointing but says he has rediscovered his passion for the game and hopes to keep playing for the Swans for years.

"For the rest of the year I want to become a more influential player," Nicks said. "I've been in and out of the side over the last couple of years and have not been an influential member of the team as I had been in the years before that.

"I want to cement my place in the team and then start becoming more influential in games.

"The last couple of years have been really disappointing. I haven't been a regular member of the side and I was hoping to have a strong start to the year, but that didn't happen.

"I've had four games in the reserves now. It was good to get a kick, but now I'm back in the seniors I want to stay. I hated not being there."

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After an operation to repair a hamstring complaint, Nicks's season started slowly.

But he forced his way back into the side for the round-eight match with West Coast, which was his 150th AFL game, and has played in both games since - against Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

The 150th milestone match renewed his passion for the game.

"You can get away from that pure enjoyment and love of the game as your career goes on," he said.

"After about 100 games I started going through the motions a bit, just playing footy and thinking, 'This is my job'. I wasn't enjoying myself around the club that much.

"Coming in and out of the side affects everything else you do. If your form is down everything else can come down with it, such as your enthusiasm.

"But I've realised I won't be playing forever and something I keep saying to myself this season is that I just want to enjoy my football.

"It was great to go on the trip to Perth. It had been a long time since I had been on a trip. I know it will take me a while to get my fitness back but I'm glad just to be enjoying my footy again."

Nicks, 29, is in his ninth year at the Swans and intends playing out his career in the red and white.

"I haven't set any goals about how long I'm going to play for," he said.

"I'm still just seeing how the body is coming out of the operation. It hasn't got rid of the pain like I hoped it would but the surgeon said the chance of success was only 50-50. It means I've got to really look after it.

"I got life membership of the club after my 150th and that was a real goal of mine this year. I love the club - it's been such a large part of my life - and I want to play out the rest of my career here.

"I haven't looked at how many more games I will play or when I will retire, but I'm hoping the body can keep going for a few more years.

"I'm looking forward to everything that happens from here."

[Cheer Cheer]

Originally posted by sharpie
Speaking of grandpas and match fitness, I was really impressed with Magic's game. Some of his roving around the loose ball in the forward line was reminiscent of his best, and he started really working well up the ground, even if it was because his opponent was trying to drag him away from the forward line. A definite improvement from the West Coast game when he was really struggling for fitness.

Here, Here. Looked very deadly!

[The Boot]

Originally posted by Captain
Yep Nickys played a ripper.

He is definately in our best 22 and still has a lot to offer.

I hope this means some people on this site will stop bagging him now.

He has a great footy brain, and IMHO he is one of the most efficient tacklers in the side. When he grabs someone, their face is in the rye, and the pill is going nowhere!! Plus a true kick when it counts. Welcome back Nicksy!

[Go Swannies]

His quotes in the article were remarkably honest. Last year he just looked to be going through the motions. This year (well, over the past few weeks) he, like Saddo, have been this stabilising forces that have helped our forward thrust look very solid indeed.

Definitely in our top 22 right now - no matter who comes back in. Maybe it really was just his back last year, not his commitment.