It may have taken much longer
than he imagined, but Brant
Dickson never gave up on
his dream.
After 40 VFL reserves games
stretching over three seasons,
Dickson finally made his senior
debut this season in his first year
at Werribee.
And, the 196cm ruckman is
beginning to show the promise he
displayed firstly coming through
the Western Jets’ program and
then at Williamstown. While he
enjoyed his time at the Seagulls
– he played in the club’s reserves
premiership last year – Dickson
decided he needed to move on
if he was to play VFL seniors
this season.
Dickson considered Werribee
and Port Melbourne, but the
latter’s depth in ruckman
seemed as strong if not stronger
than Williamstown.
“It was just a lack of
opportunities at Williamstown,”
Dickson said. “I realised that
my football wasn’t going to
progress the way I would like
at Williamstown, so I decided
it would be best if I moved to
another club.
“It wasn’t so much frustration;
I really enjoyed my time at
Williamstown. They’re a great
bunch of blokes and we won the
premiership last year.
“I think about 11 guys from
that reserves premiership team
moved on, and I thought it was
time I did as well. I always wanted
to stay in the VFL and the move to
Werribee has been good.”
Former Werribee Liston Trophy
winner Paul Satterley, who was
an assistant coach when Dickson
played at the Jets, suggested that
Chirnside Park would be a better
bet than anywhere else.
Werribee coach Simon Atkins
said the club believed Dickson
could fill a much-needed role as
Former Seagull steps up to senior level after
winning reserves premiership in 2008.
a mobile ruckman. Atkins said
Dickson had worked hard over
the pre-season to put his name at
the forefront.
And, so it has proved. Dickson
was selected for Werribee’s
first game, but following his
second match, ironically, against
Williamstown, he returned to the
reserves for a spell.
To his credit, Dickson fought
his way back into the seniors,
and while Werribee struggled
mightily during the month of
May, Dickson showed positive
signs. When Werribee was on the
receiving end of a hiding by the
Coburg Tigers, Dickson emerged
as a clear winner against Andrew
Browne and Tyrone Vickery.
Atkins rated Dickson’s game
as the best he’s played, a view
shared by the 21-year-old.
“I didn’t get a kick against
Williamstown, but I fought my
way back and I’ve just tried to
make the most of it,” Dickson
said. “I just want to try to hold
my spot in the side and be
a contributor to the team.”
Last Modified on 12/06/2009 22:05