HAMILTON Kangaroos vice captain Brady Hicks says its new-look midfield is starting to reap the rewards ahead of its second Pride Game.
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Hicks, 26, is spending more time on a half-forward flank as recruits Tyrone Ross and Brad Thomas establish themselves in the Roos’ engine room.
He believes the Kangaroos’ recent form, which has included two wins and a draw in the past three weeks, is a reflection of the duo’s input.
Hicks said they would play a crucial role against a star-studded South Warrnambool when the Kangaroos host an LGBTI celebration and inclusion match at Melville Oval on Saturday.
“They’re really starting to gather disposals,” he said.
“I think they had 32 or 33 each on the weekend and in miserable conditions they really used the ball well.
“There’s not a lot of him (Ross) but he’s had about three or four black eyes so far this year as he loves getting in and under (the packs) and doesn’t mind copping one or two for his team.
“His skills too, left and right foot, are immaculate.”
Hicks said Ross and Thomas had allowed him to utilise his best skills.
“I don’t mind playing in the midfield but I am probably a bit more suited for an outside role where I can use a bit of pace,” he said.
“It’s been good for me not to play a full-time midfield role, I am just a bit light-framed and coming up against the top midfielders in the league, they know how to use their body a bit better. It’s freed a lot of us, so we’re playing where we’re suited.”
Hicks said the Kangaroos’ belief in their game plan had helped them overcome a 0-6 start to the season.
“We’ve based our whole pre-season around a certain style of game plan and I’ll give the coaches credit, they’ve stuck with it even when we were 0-4 and 0-5,” he said.
“We stuck to our game plan because we knew it was going to work, so it’s really good to see the results come out of it the last two or three weeks.
“At 0-6 it was starting to get a bit frustrating because we knew we weren’t far away from getting those wins. It was small, little incidents which ended up costing us time and time again.
“It wasn’t like we were getting blown out of the park by any means. A lot of losses by under 20 points and it soon starts to get to you.
“That draw against Warrnambool was a little taste of it and that really kick-started us against Cobden where we played a solid four quarters of footy and same against North Warrnambool.”
Hicks, who works as a stock agent in Hamilton, said the club was pleased to set an example with the Pride Game.
The game, which celebrates the LGBTI community and inclusion in sporting circles, will start at 4pm.
A women’s VFL game between Darebin Falcons and Melbourne University will follow under lights.
Victoria and South Australia will also play a men’s netball exhibition match.
“It’s a very important day for the community and last year we had a really good turnout and a massive crowd, especially to come along and see the women play,” Hicks said.
“I know all the boys definitely support it.”