Rollercoaster journey to 100 games as Hiscox reflects on journey to date

His journey to a century of NEAFL games has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but Sydney University midfielder Jack Hiscox is enjoying his career more than ever.

The former Sydney Swans speedster will become the latest NEAFL player to reach 100 games when the Students take on the Hornets at Voxson Oval on Saturday.

Hiscox said he was unaware of the impending milestone, but as they say, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’.

“You don’t even realise that the amount of games, they just tick along and I just play footy because I love it and playing for the enjoyment that’s what I really like,” Hiscox told neafl.com.au.

“I was trying to remember my first game and it was for Sydney Uni back when I was 17 and we got belted by Queanbeyan by 100 points.

“It was late in the season so they were wanting to give some young blokes a go and I was lucky enough to get a game.”

His debut, back in 2012, wasn’t a result worth shouting about, but Hiscox certainly showed everyone what he’s made of. The teenage sensation booted two goals and was named among the Students best in his first ever game.

A product of the Glebe Greyhounds and Swans Academy, Hiscox was drafted by the Sydney Swans a year later and enjoyed two years on their list. He credits some Swans legends for his development.

“It was obviously fantastic and a dream to spend a couple of years on the list there,” Hiscox said.

“It definitely taught me to be grateful for what I have. I made a lot of lifelong friends there which I still keep in contact with, and as a footballer it taught me to back my skills in all the time.

“I really liked Rhyce Shaw, he was the NEAFL coach in my second year there and also my line coach so I spent a lot of time with him doing extras and working on my game and trying to get the best out of myself.

“I would be absolutely stoked for him if he got the senior coaching job a North Melbourne, he was probably the most help for me with my time at the Swans.”

Hiscox has experienced some heartbreak along the way, playing in three losing NEAFL Grand Finals for the Swans in 2013 (when he was an academy player), 2014 and 2016 – all by a combined 13 points.

It is these moments which Hiscox says motivates him today leading a young group at Sydney University.

“I’ve played in three Grand Finals in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and it was all pretty much within a goal every year,” he said.

“Each year it meant a bit more because you get to the Grand Final and it’s the peak of the season - you put nine of 10 months’ worth of work in for that moment.

“Now with Sydney Uni, we haven’t quite been good enough at the business end but as we’ve spoken about there’s a real good young core group that we are building towards."

When reflecting upon his time in the NEAFL, Hiscox said that he has enjoyed his time playing in the competition for a variety of different reasons.

“I guess when I was younger my early years in the NEAFL I think I just played one game in that first season and that was great because I was just happy to be there,” he said.

“At the Swans, it was about playing each week to improve and prove to the coaches what a great footballer you are and trying to push for that senior selection.

“Now I can take that step back and play for enjoyment and team success as a club. That is a great experience in itself.”

Winning a premiership is high on Hiscox’s priority list, and it’s an achievement that would be even more special if he did it playing for the Students.

“I think we are going to be a real dominant force over the next couple of years,’ he said.

“It would make that elusive maiden premiership for Sydney Uni mean even more for a lot of us that have been here for a few years.

“I still think I’ve got a few years left in me. I reckon I will do everything I can in order to get us that premiership success.”

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