A FIRE was lit inside South Mildura coach Luke Sicker from his first meeting with his new club.
Refreshed and renewed from essentially three years away from football, the 32-year-old is keen to lead the Bulldogs into a new era in the Sunraysia Football and Netball League following their winless 2022 campaign.
Sicker was an Imperials premiership player in 2013, and played in grand finals for the green and whites in 2014, 2015 and 2019.
Following his first stint in Sunraysia the utility became captain-coach of Ganmain Grong Grong Matong in the Riverina Football League, then heading back to his native Bundaberg to coach Brothers Bulldogs before returning to Mildura.
Sicker also has a family connection to the blue and white hoops, his uncle Scott Lawton being an important player in the club’s last premiership in 1998.
With his young family and bricklaying business taking precedence over football across the past two years, Sicker, who played in Imperials’ first game of 2022, feels reinvigorated.
“I was always going to play again, I’d never retired or anything, and then from the first meeting (with South) it seemed to be a good fit,” he said.
“It sort of just lit the fire that was in me… I was just really impressed with the club, they seem to have everything in line and know what direction they want to head in.
“Talking to the club it seems like everything is in place, we’ve got the new facilities now, we’ve got the right people at the club who are taking everything in the right direction, now it’s just about sorting the footy out.”
Despite their struggles on-field during the most recent season, Sicker has belief 2023 and beyond can be fruitful at Mildura Sporting Precinct.
Guns Domenic Scullino, South’s 2022 best and fairest, and Tyler Curtis have already re-signed, while Anthony Heap (Narre South Saints) and Bailey Fotia (Adelaide Lutheran) have been announced as recruits.
“I wouldn’t have taken it on if I didn’t think there was talent to work with,” Sicker said.
“I think we’re definitely better then where we finished last year. From the outside looking in, South’s always had good juniors and plenty of numbers, and that’s something that appealed to me, being able to turn those under 16s and 18s into senior footballers.
“That was a part of the vision from the club and that lined up with my vision too, and trying to build something that’s successful, not just for next season but for a sustained period.”
Sicker said the opportunity was a case of “perfect timing”.
“I didn’t really have the passion last year and with work and family, it just didn’t line up so I did the family thing, but now I’m fully refreshed and ready to go,” he said.
“If I had have kept going I think I would have burned out by now, but the body is feeling really good, and the mind as well. I’m feel refreshed and ready to go for a full season.”
Sicker won’t waste time beginning pre-season in the coming weeks with his players, with one session per week before building into a heavier work load.
