Sam Wicks Biography

Sydney coach Dean Cox's call to move Sam Wicks into defence has been a big win.

After 66 games over five seasons as a high-pressure forward, Wicks has reinvented himself in 2025 as a small lockdown defender, playing every game in the Swans' backline.

Since keeping Hawthorn dynamo Nick Watson goalless in Opening Round, Wicks has quietly been quelling many of the League's best small forwards.

Gamebreakers Shai Bolton, Jack Higgins, Darcy Jones and Isaac Kako are among those who have been held goalless under Wicks' watch.

Sam Wicks' career at Sydney has been reignited by a positional change from attack to defence, allowing him to thrive in a new role as a lockdown defender.

"The coaches asked how I felt about doing some training down back and I said I'd be open to it and then really loved it and the coaches loved having me there, so it's been a good fit," Wicks said.

"I might have been stuck in that forward role for a while, so it's been really nice learning new skills, there's been a refreshing aspect to it."

Sam Wicks cops a four-week sanction for a tackle against Collingwood's Ash Johnson in the VFL, which rules him out until at least the third week of AFL finals.

The AFL rules that the boots Sam Wicks wore against Collingwood were not compliant with League regulations.

The issue came to light after Magpie Isaac Quaynor sustained a severe 16-21cm gash on his right leg, following an attempted tackle on Wicks in the final term. The Swans stated post-match that Wicks' boots were standard-issue screw-ins, with a hybrid soleplate that includes plastic and aluminium stops.

"Following discussions with the AFL, it has become clear that these boots are not compliant with AFL regulations," the Swans said in a statement.

"The Sydney Swans will take steps to rectify this immediately to ensure that all boots are compliant going forward. The club has been in contact with Collingwood to express its regret for the incident and concern for Isaac, whom we wish a speedy recovery."

Sam Wicks makes his AFL debut for Sydney at the Gabba with 9 disposals (6 kicks and 3 handballs), a mark, 6 tackles and a goal in a 9-point loss to Collingwood.