“My journey probably wasn’t as straightforward as some.”
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It’s hard to disagree with Shepparton United’s Angus Hicks’ assessment of his eight-year journey from rising Murray Bushrangers star to VFL grand final hero, to the Demons’ reclaimed star.
At 26, the Werribee premiership gun’s mission to compete at the highest levels he could was fulfilled, deciding 2025 was his last in the VFL.
Hicks burst from relative obscurity as a Bushies best-and-fairest, had the final say in one of the great State league grand finals, and played a 67-game VFL tenure that began under now Collingwood premiership coach Craig McRae.
Fair to say, it’s been a roller-coaster.
“I just wanted to get the best out of myself as a person and as a player,” Hicks said.
“The VFL itself is such a tough environment. You're training your butt off, working full-time, studying, and then playing against full-time athletes.
“(I’m) super grateful for everything the VFL journey did for me and I'll never be able to replace the connections I made over the way.
“In the end, I think my time was up and I definitely enjoyed everything I got out of the game.”
On reflection, Hicks admitted his football pathway was anything but textbook.
The talented Shepparton United junior was highly rated, but couldn’t crack into the Murray Bushrangers squad until his top-age year in 2017.
“I don't think I ever made a Bushies team or even got invited to try out during my bottom-age year of Bushies,” Hicks said.
“But then I made the round one team somehow and then I just kept getting a game, kept getting a game.”
His class in the TAC Cup was apparent, averaging 22 disposals in his 16 games to take out the Bushies’ best-and-fairest.
The John Byrne medallist’s exploits attracted attention from Richmond’s VFL squad.
“I didn’t even think anyone knew who I was,” Hicks said.
“I was lucky enough to get a chance to try out under Craig McRae.
“The team there was unbelievable at the time – that was such a great VFL list and I think they only just lost the grand final the year before.
“I was privileged to be coached by Craig and some of the greats like Xavier Clark and Steve Morris.
“I didn't get to play in the 2019 VFL flag, but being in the environment and behind closed walls at Richmond when they had their success was pretty cool.”
Despite locking away a spot at Punt Rd, it would take three years for the young forward to get his chance.
An injury-plagued 2018 season put paid to any hope of a debut that year, before a broken leg sustained in a pre-season hit-out against Essendon proved another hammer blow.
Add in a completely abandoned 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seemed as if the setbacks were endless.
“I had felt like I was as fit as I've ever been – I was primed to go, and maybe that year was going to be my year,” Hicks said.
“The year after that, we only got 10 games under way and then it got cancelled again. It definitely wasn't straightforward.
“Hamstrings, broken legs … I think I've missed over 100 VFL games over the journey.
“I suppose I just kept sticking at it and kept going because I loved the elite environment and always getting the best out of myself.”
Hicks’ three-year wait came to an end against Sandringham in round one of 2021, making an immediate impact with 23 disposals and two goals.
Nine games later it was the same story – season cancelled. But as vice-captain for the next two seasons, he started to thrive on-field.
Soon, rival Werribee and fellow Shepparton product Michael Barlow – who resided on the coaching panel at the time – took notice.
Hicks was a strong contributor at the standalone Tigers in 2024 before a hamstring injury sustained in round 19 had the left-footer in a race against time to be fit for the decider against Southport.
“It was a pretty serious hamstring tear and it was looking like I was going to probably get left out of the team,” Hicks said.
“For (Werribee coach) Jimmy Allen to put his faith in me and put me back in for that grand final was an unbelievable feeling.
“It almost felt like I played my grand final before I got there because the pressure was on with selection.”
In an absolute epic, the Tigers roared from 19 points behind to pip the Sharks by a single goal at Ikon Park, snapping a 31-year drought.
In his first game back in seven weeks, Hicks was one of Werribee’s best with 19 disposals and five marks, and his 13th kick, a clearing effort out of defence, was the last of the game.
“It was just elation,” Hicks said.
“I couldn't believe it when the siren went off – the hair sticks up on the back of your neck just thinking about it.
“The flag is definitely the greatest achievement in terms of me individually, but I loved the connections made over the course of my career.”
After another strong campaign in 2025, Hicks decided it was time to strike a balance between footy and his career.
He set his sights back to the Skene St end of Deakin Reserve – where the Hicks name is steeped in club history – and has been named in the best in every game he’s played, averaging 27 disposals, eight clearances and five score involvements for the 3-4 Shepparton United.
“Getting back to enjoying the game is what I've loved about it so far,” Hicks said.
“I’ve got plenty of family at the club; Kevin (Hicks) being the president, along with three or four of my cousins playing as well.
“There’s plenty of us getting around and it's really special for not only us as cousins, but my dad, Des, and Kevin and Paul all played at the club, my aunties all played netball for the club.
“It’s really cool to have them and Nan watching on and seeing us back in the United colours.”
The Demons have a bye before tackling reigning premier Kyabram on their home deck in round eight.