Angus Hicks is a very highly rated teenager and Shepparton United wasted very little time in exposing him to the top flight, with the rover making his debut in the season opener against arch rival.
After playing four consecutive games in the seniors, Hicks has spent the past fortnight in the under 18s.
He says the disappointment of not receiving an invitation to try out for TAC Cup club the Murray Bushrangers has spurred him this year.
“That has really fired me up to show them that I really want to be of them and I would like to play with the Bushies next year,” he said.
Hicks, 16, is no different than any other aspiring footballer having started playing in grade three while attending St Brendan’s Primary School.
His talent was very evident and once he turned 10 and despite being eligible to continue playing in the primary school competition, Hicks decided to make the transition to the under 14s with Notre Dame College.
“I played all my junior football with Notre Dame until the start-up of Shepparton United where I was lucky enough to captain one of our two teams in the inception year,” he said.
Hicks won the best and fairest for the club and the team went onto play finals.
After enjoying success in the opening year of the junior Demons, Hicks and his team-mates struggled to have the same impact in the under 16s as a bottom age player.
The following year, Hicks took all before him as the Demons were premiers and champions.
To add to the flag, Hicks won the club best and fairest, finished runner-up in the league best and fairest and runner-up in the league goal-kicking award.
Hicks said he tapped in to the experienced heads of Tim Looby and Shaun Huy for advice along with boom recruit Brodie Filo.
“They have all been very good as has Hap (coach, Marc Quarrell),” he said.
“He is so good with the instructions he gives you and doesn’t put a lot of pressure on us,” he added.
“He backs us in to do our role.”
The Year 11’s short term goal is to play more senior matches and help the club go deep into the finals in the thirds competition and win a premiership.
Last Modified on 27/09/2016 17:23