Coburg secures two-time Sullivan Medal winner for 2021 VFL season

Coburg’s strong VFL off-season has seen it build some enviable depth and it has only gotten stronger with the return to two-time best-and-fairest winner Lochie Dickson.

Lochie Dickson in action for Coburg. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coburg’s recruiting spree has secured the return of dual best-and-fairest winner Lochie Dickson.

Dickson is capable of playing through the midfield and across half-back and will significantly boost the Lions’ hopes to jumping up the VFL ladder in 2021.

It continues a successful off-season that has also seen the likes of Sydney defender Jack Maibaum, Richmond VFL pair Luke Nelson and Charlie Thompson and former Kangaroo Tom McKenzie come on board.

Coburg coach Andrew Sturgess was rapt to have Dickson back at Piranha Park.

“It’s a great addition to our club, given we didn’t play in 2020, he’s our reigning dual best-and-fairest winner,” he said.

Lochie Dickson in action for Coburg.

“He’s a remarkable player and was getting interest from the next level for a reasons and was unlucky not to get an opportunity.

“In 2018, Lochie played across half-back and won the best-and-fairest and then stepped up into the midfield in 2019 and had another sensational year and won the best-and-fairest again.

“We see Lochie being able to play in dual positions, so we see him playing a combination of midfield and across half-back.”

Dickson had returned to Eastern league club Norwood for 2020 as he pursued a career in player management.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the entire football industry contract and opportunities are limited.

Dickson averaged 22.5 disposals, 3.5 tackles and kicked 10 goals as a big-bodied midfielder in 2019.

His return now gives Coburg enviable depth across the ground.

Jacob Ballard and Tom Silvestro remain after signing on for 2020 while Callum Moore is weighing up his options after being delisted by Carlton.

Sturgess said the club’s aim was to create an internal battle for spots.

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“I can’t stress it enough, we’re trying to deepen the talent on each line and make it challenging for each other,” he said.

“We probably haven’t had a lot of challenge for spots internally in the past few years and that’s not to say guys that have played are deserving, that’s certainly not the case.

“We want to make it so there are guys missing out that should be playing at the level.

“You look at all good teams, Richmond at the AFL level, they’ve got guys leaving to seek opportunities because they are capable of playing at the level and that’s what we’re building towards.”