STORY COURTESY OF PORT MACQUARIE NEWS
CRAIG Dicker is not afraid to get his hands dirty, weather it be on the field or working as a mechanic.
The tough-tackling half back has been a stand out all season for the Port Macquarie Magpies, including a fortnight ago, when he was named ‘best on ground’ in his side’s narrow defeat to the Sawtell-Toormina Saints.
Originally from South Australia, Dicker moved to Port Macquarie 18 months ago and is enjoying his first season at the club.
He’s been impressed with the standard of play in the AFL North Coast league but still feels that it is not as strong as in SA and Victoria.
“It’s not as fast here but the game is still quite physical,” Dicker explained.
“The overall standard is not quite as high but that is to be expected in the heart of rugby league country.”
The Magpies have fallen to third place on the ladder with only five matches remaining, however Dicker is happy with how the team has gone so far and is very optimistic for the rest of the season.
“It’s gone well so far, we just need a bit more commitment to training and travelling to away games,” he said.
“We have a good chance of winning the premiership.
“We are good enough to beat anyone when we are at full strength.
“We proved that on Saturday against Sawtell when we could have won.
“There is no reason we can’t beat anyone.”
Dicker sees a very bright future for the Magpies with the club’s under 18 side providing many promising players, some of whom have already made the jump to the seniors.
He sees this as a huge positive.
“I love playing alongside the under 18 boys,” Dicker said.
“It’s good to have a mix and the older guys can hand down their experience.
“There are a lot of good players coming through and you can see them improving all the time.
“If they stick around in Port Macquarie you can see the club having a really good future.”
Last Modified on 13/07/2010 22:47