ST KILDA ruck Tom Hickey says he did not see his fall from grace coming, with a shoulder reconstruction last August souring a disappointing season.
In 2016, Hickey established himself as the club's premier big man ahead of Billy Longer.
There was debate within the club about who would have the spot leading into the following season but Hickey put that to rest with what he described as "probably one of the best games I've ever played" in the final JLT Community Series game against Sydney in Albury, racking up 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 39 hit-outs against Sam Naismith and Kurt Tippett.
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An underwhelming first month of the season, combined with a back concern, saw him dropped, and he suffered a medial ligament injury in his left knee in his second game for Sandringham.
A calf injury followed before he hurt his right shoulder with two games left in the season. He had surgery days after St Kilda's campaign ended and returned to full training only in the last few weeks.
"I had a pretty bizarre, crappy year last year," Hickey told AFL.com.au.
Nothing went to plan.
"I copped a couple of injuries and then just really couldn't get my form back from that," Hickey said.
"When I did string four or five good games together, Billy was playing really well in the ones. Richo (coach Alan Richardson) says he's not going to change a team that's going all right."
The shoulder operation did create opportunity for the Queenslander though. Being confined to leg weights meant he added an extra kilogram or two on his lower body, much needed for a ruckman who is relatively light at 99kg.
"I could really work on leg strength, which has obviously been a deficiency of mine throughout my career with a lot of knee injuries and patella tendon issues," Hickey said.
Perhaps the low point of 2017 for Hickey came when he was recalled against Essendon in round 17 on a Friday night, with Longer felled by a hamstring injury.
He came into that clash too hyped up and likened his feelings to when he made his debut.
"I probably had the worst game of my career," Hickey said.
Ironically, some well-intentioned fans meant he was left in no doubt about how poorly he played.
"I did get a couple of private Instagram messages on my private account of people telling me to keep my head up and that it's one bad game. You know you've had an absolute shocker when people go out of their way to get around you and put a hand around your shoulder," Hickey said.
Hickey failed to take his chances when they came in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos
Longer returned the next week and Hickey was again demoted to the VFL.
"It was probably a blessing in disguise, because after that I probably strung about five really good games together," Hickey said.
The 26-year-old acknowledged he needs to become more consistent but believes he can do so.
"I've had a really consistent pre-season load-wise. I've just trained non-stop ever since I had my shoulder. I didn't really get to go away – I went away for one week and hung around all off-season just trying to get it right," Hickey said.
"I'm as confident as I've been in my body."
