HE’S the most dynamic player in the Group Nine premiership, but Kangaroos fullback Tristan Dickson is definitely no one-man band.
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On the eve of Kangaroos’ most important game of the season, the 21-year-old speedster has declared he is only as good as the 12 others in the team.
“There’s no way anyone can do it by themselves,” Dickson said. “It’s got to be the whole team. We’ve all got to put it together.”
Coming from the flashiest ball-runner in the region, Dickson’s comment is testament to the way Kangaroos have tried – and succeeded – to play this year.
Despite having the smallest pack in the premiership Kangaroos have outstripped some of their better credentialed and higher-rated rivals to make the finals.
Heading into the elimination final against Tumut at Twickenham on Saturday, Dickson is also adamant they are not finished yet.
“They’re (Tumut) definitely beatable,” he said.
“If we put it together we’ll beat them.”
Past history certainly backs Dickson’s prediction.
The Blues and Roos have played only once this year and they finished in a 28-all draw.
Significantly, however, Roos blew a 28-12 lead before squaring the result with Tumut at Equex Centre on May 28.
Down 18-16 following a tough and tense first half, Roo scored the opening two tries of the second half to bolt out to a 28-18.
Little wonder Roos captain-coach Ben Jeffery was livid that the team squandered the advantage by allowing Tumut to score two to snatch a draw.
In fact, Tumut hooker Jacob Toppin sprayed a relatively easy conversion shot that would have got the Blues home in the dying seconds.
Beforehand, Dickson had scored two tries, including a breathtaking effort in the 55th minute, but he subsequently suffered a back injury.
Clearly a crowd-pleaser, Dickson finished the premiership rounds with 15 tries and also created a stack more with his lightning acceleration and amazing anticipation.
Recalling some his exploits this year, Dickson said he always ready to cut loose.
“It’s a mental thing,” he said.
“You just know.”
For his part, Dickson is backing the Kangaroos forwards to give their heavyweight Tumut opponents a thorough work over.
“That’s what I mean by all putting it together,” Dickson said.
“Our pack does a great job and they have to lay the foundation.”
Looking ahead to 2018, Dickson said staying with Kangaroos was his “first pick”, but admits there are “plenty of other options”.
With Tristan Dickson there usually are.
