How Tom Hickey found himself on the ‘chopping block’ for the Sydney Swans in game 150

Tom Hickey will be honoured at his 150th game on the weekend, but there was a lot more riding on making the team than just the fanfare.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Tom Hickey poses for a portrait during a Sydney Swans AFL media opportunity at the Sydney Cricket Ground at Sydney Cricket Ground on September 19, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Tom Hickey left himself no alternative but to be in the Swans’ team this week to take on Melbourne at the SCG.

And it wasn’t just because Sydney need a win to try and secure a home final.

The retiring ruckman brings up his 150th AFL match on Sunday and he made a promise to his son Lou that he couldn’t take back.

“I put my head on the chopping block three weeks ago and said, ‘The last round you could be running out with me’,” Hickey said.

“I don’t think he’d ever forgive me if I didn’t get a game this week. So he gets to run out with the boys.

“He wears his Swans jersey six out of seven days. I look at [my career] so fondly but I think we’ll be a Swans family for life.”

Hickey and Lou during the 2022 AFL grand final parade. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The man dubbed as ‘Ruck Jesus’ by the Sydney faithful who congregate at the SCG every fortnight has forged a remarkable career.

Four clubs in four different states is more than anything Hickey could have imagined from the humble tradie who only picked up Aussie rules at age 18.

But a quick look at the life he has built at home was all it took for him to know retirement was the right decision after 13 seasons in the AFL.

The big ruckman has always been a hit with Sydney fans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I’ve lived a true AFL experience, and I think that’s something I’m really grateful for,” Hickey said.

“I wasn’t naturally born with the God-given talents that some people have, I’ve had to work hard to get there.

“I got drafted when I was 19 and had no idea what I was doing. I genuinely thought if I could get three or four years in, I’d play a game and go back and complete my trade.

“I feel like [Sydney fans] have just wrapped their arms around me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m weird-looking and have long hair, but I’ve really loved my time here.

“I’ve got my wife and three kids here and we’ve got no help in Sydney. It just felt like the timing was right to get back home and have our roots planted on the Gold Coast.”

Hickey is the third Sydney player to announce their retirement in recent weeks following Lance Franklin and Paddy McCartin.

While Franklin and McCartin will be honoured at the SCG on Sunday, Hickey has an important role to play in the Swans’ march to the finals.

“I’ve kind of just given my six weeks' notice I guess.”

It has been an injury-hampered year for the 32-year-old, but he believes his body is as good as it has ever been in 2023.

Franklin (L) and Hickey (R) celebrate Sydney’s 2022 prelim final win over Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And while a spot in the top eight is already locked in for Sydney, there’s still plenty on the line including a fairytale ending to the most unlikely of footy careers.

“I’ve got nothing to be holding in the tank and I’ll be fighting as hard as I can to make sure I’ve got five games left, not two,” Hickey said.

“There’s still a whole lot to play for. We’ve got a home final and Melbourne are a hell of a challenge.

“I think when we hit our last game – whether it’s holding up a premiership cup or I’m in tears because we’ve lost – I think [retirement] will hit me pretty hard then.”

Originally published as How Tom Hickey found himself on the ‘chopping block’ for the Sydney Swans in game 150