Ag College are hoping Karl Hicken can answer their halfback problem.
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Hicken will make his first grade debut against Tumut at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday in the important role.
Ag College have used three halfbacks in as many weeks.
Cameron Duffy filled in for the injured Jeremy Lim in the win over CSU last week, but with Lim set to miss the next at least the next three weeks with a knee issue coach Will Mitchell went searching for a different option.
Stepping up is Hicken, who was rediscovered the game since moving to CSU this year.
The 21-year-old is looking forward to his chance.
“I'm actually really excited and it is going to be really good,” Hicken said.
“I was surprised when I got the call up but I think it’s exciting.”
Easily over six feet, Hicken is tall for the role and it’s not one he’s played regularly.
He’s played most of his football at five-eighth but is looking forward to the challenge after going well in second grade.
“The last couple of games have been pretty good, I was pretty nervous for the step up to (halfback),” Hicken said.
“At nine, it has been going really well.
“It is different getting back into it as I hadn’t played it since year 11, so that’s a fair few years ago, but I am enjoying it as well.”
Mitchell is confident he’ll perform well.
“Karl has been playing really good footy in twos so we are pretty excited to let him have a crack,” Mitchell said.
“He’s been playing halfback for the last couple of weeks and he’s got a good pass on him and good quick ball is what our game is about.”
Hicken was an unused replacement last week as Duffy took the playmakers role.
However Mitchell wants his vice-captain back in his usual centre position.
“Duffy did really well (at halfback) but we really need him out there is the centres,” he said. “With his defence and his chat out there he’s very handy to have.”
Tumut are coming off a win against Wagga City and Mitchell expects another tough clash.
“Tumut are starting to hit their straps now so it should be a pretty good game,” he said.
“I think they are stronger than what they are sitting on the table.”
Ag College are currently sixth, two spots below the Bulls, but the two teams are only separated by bonus points.
Mitchell believes it is a crucial game for the club’s top three ambitions.
“We are pretty excited this week as a win here should take us up to fourth and a win next week (against Griffith), providing that City don’t get over Waratahs, and we could get up to third,” he said.
“That is where we need to be and we think we’re a top three team, we’re just not playing there yet.”