After an injury interrupted start to the season, Lions reserves regular Cain Tickner has found form at the right part of the season, with his performance against Redland earning him the Round 17 Northern Conference Rising Star nomination.
After struggling with niggling injuries and fitness, a move to the backline for the last part of the U18 National Championships was a turning point for the talented Noosa product.
Among the best in the U18 Scorpions’ comeback wins against NSW/ACT and the NT, the AIS-AFL Academy Level Two member has built on that strong form since returning to the NEAFL competition.
Lions Reserves coach Leigh Harding said that while the 18-year-old remains a natural forward who is difficult to match up on, his recent shift to defence has unearthed a potential future in the backline
“He’s been a forward over the journey but given that we have quite a few tall forwards, we have swung him back a few times this year,” Harding said.
“That’s a bit of a different look for him but that’s something totally different he can add to his game.
“He’s still got a lot of work to do, but that (game against Redland) was a step in the right direction for him.”
Tickner agrees that the move down back will be beneficial while he has also enjoyed the challenge of improving his defensive skills.
“I like the switch down back,” Tickner said.
“Especially as I’ve been playing more of a shutdown role which has a defensive mind-set first and then having the ability to work off my opponent has helped my development quite a bit.”
Harding said it could be difficult for players like Tickner coming through the ranks, slotting in alongside experienced forwards like Jordan Lisle and Aaron Cornelius and hoped the switch down back could add extra dimensions to the youngster’s game going forward.
“It can be difficult at times for those young blokes coming in (because) they don’t want to get in the way of those senior guys so they do still have to play their role and play the way that they naturally did as juniors,” he said.
“So that’s probably a good thing for him (Tickner) going back so we can teach him a little bit more about the defensive side of the game and hopefully that helps him going forward.
“Whether he’s a defender or forward hopefully that defensive stuff helps down the track.”
Tickner said there is a lot still to do to make the possibility of being drafted a reality come November.
“I’ve still got a lot to prove (in terms) of finishing the season off well and playing some good consistent footy while keeping my body right and getting my fitness levels up,” he said.
“I then need to test really well at the draft camp and just work on my deficiencies and try and improve as much as I can.”
Harding said Tickner needs to look no further than rookie-listed Lion Jordon Bourke, a former Hyundai Lions Academy player.
“They (the Lions Academy players) are in a good system and the Academy has been very, very good for producing those kids through,” he said.
“All of them should be confident in improving through the academy (with the hope of being drafted).”
