In this week's edition of 'A Lap of the Boundary', the DA tries to uncover what makes a five-time player-of-the-year tick.
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Let's get one thing straight, straight up. Jon Nicoll, averaging 303 after four unbeaten half-centuries and one dismissal (46), thinks too much can be made of all that.
"I actually don't reckon I've played that well, to be honest," Nicoll says.
"I think a lot of it gets blown out of proportion as well... having played in Canberra and played some second XI cricket, blokes did this for 10 years straight. They just made runs or took wickets week in, week out."
In one statement - one glimpse of a cricketing philosophy - the Wagga City Cats all-rounder gives away plenty about what drives him: a love of the game and the contest.
"It's both," he says.
"I'm a really competitive guy. Whether it's work, play, cricket, it doesn't matter. I guess it's just about being the best you possibly can be. You're out in the sun all day.
"It's a long day, it's not a two or three-hour event.
"So if you're going to take up your weekend playing it, you want to be the best you possibly can. I've always had that view and wanted to be the best I can be - with the bat, bowling or in the field."
Nicoll insists there are plenty more talented batsman about but has focussed on sticking to his strengths and improving week to week and year on year.
Still, five Brian Lawrence Medals in the last six seasons doesn't speak of consistency. It shouts about it.
Before Nicoll, three players had won the award three times. He was the first to win three in a row (2013-14 to 2015-16), and an extraordinary record with both bat and ball has seen him named Wagga's best twice more in the last three years.
"As an all-rounder, you've got to have one profession and one hobby and I'd say the profession is with the bat and the hobby's with the ball," he says, although he delights in sending down his medium pace.
"I find it a great challenge. It's a physically demanding role and you've just got to be at your best all the time with the ball because the wickets are pretty good and the batsmen are really good so it's a good challenge."
The 32-year-old was born and bred in Wagga but played in Canberra from 17 until his mid-20s.
He was part of the ACT Comets' success in the Futures League in 2011, which he considers a career highlight, along with representing NSW Country two years ago.
"We won in Geraldton a couple of years ago which was just amazing. You play against the best country cricketers in Australia and it's just a great thing to be a part of," he says.
He says good mentors along the way have helped hone his skills.
"I've played in environments where it's been expected," he says.
"If you're at the right club, you're a product of that environment and the two that really stand out are Weston Creek in Canberra, and Wagga City - having great facilities and that expected improvement in you every week and every year is something that hasn't been lost on me."
He's unapologetic about taking the same approach as coach but is more than happy to have stepped back at the Cats before last season.
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"I coached them for five years and that was enough," he says.
"I think my style was probably a little bit too full-on. It sort of wore off on the group and the last two years, being just a player and having Josh (Thompson) as captain and Rob (Nicoll) as coach has been really refreshing."
As far as talented teammates go, he believes Thompson is made of the right stuff.
"I think Josh Thompson, our skipper, has really improved. I thought last year was a bit of a breakout year for him, (625 runs) that was a beauty," Nicoll says.
"He's got all the shots and all the natural talent and when he aligns that on the day, he's pretty dominant."
He's pleased too with Rob's approach to promoting the club's youth. Even if it comes with a warning.
"The coach reckons I've got two years left before the young kids push me out, so I've got to make the most it," Nicoll laughs.
Not that he's likely to quietly fade into the background.
"I suppose from a young age, you get the bug to play cricket and it can stick with you for a long time. And as I've got older and had kids, you get a lot more appreciation for it," he says.
"When you're younger, you think you'll do it forever, As you get older you realise it's not going to be forever and you just enjoy every moment you've got."
This Saturday, top spot goes on the line the Cats take on rivals South Wagga and Nicoll says there's no doubt they'll have to be at the top of their game.
"I still think we're probably still 10 lengths behind South Wagga - they're the benchmark and everyone else is trying to scramble in behind them."