An emotional Tom Hickey has revealed his pre-game heartbreak, leaving behind his twin baby girls in hospital while he headed to Melbourne to play in Friday night’s qualifying final win.
Hickey was one of Sydney’s best, taking on the Demons’ ruck duo of Max Gawn and Luke Jackson, and coming out on top in the 22-point win.
But speaking to Fox Footy post-game, Hickey was almost in tears as he spoke of the emotional toll of the big finals’ win.
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“I’ve had both my … ah I won’t talk about. It’s just amazing people (at the Swans),” he said, holding back tears.
“Both my twins have been in hospital this week, so I’m coming home, I’m coming home girls.”
Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon was clearly moved by Hickey’s emotional reveal.
“This is what its all about. You play for all sorts of reasons but at the heart of it, your family is number one,” Lyon said.
“They couldn’t be any prouder of you tonight my friend. You did them proud.
“It was a magnificent performance.”
Hickey had spoken this week on the challenges he and wife Chloe had faced moving to Sydney to continue his AFL career, without family support when the twins arrived last October.
“We feel like we’re coming out of the trenches now, at 10 months,” he told News Corp.
Hickey, who is at his fourth AFL club in a fourth state after playing for Gold Coast, St Kilda, West Coast and now the Swans, was full of praise for Sydney and their “bloods” culture.
“I think it’s just good people everywhere in the footy club,” he said.
“And just genuine care.
“We were in the hub, it was like a Tuesday night, middle of the hub, Tuesday night and it was analytics, and footy operations and coaches and players all just playing cards together enjoying each other’s company.
“It was pretty tough times.
“(The club is) incredible, I love it.”
Friday night’s clash was Hickey’s first ever qualifying final, after being part of two elimination finals – one for West Coast and the Swans’ loss to GWS last year, and West Coast’s semi final loss to Geelong back in 2019.
The ruckman spoke highly of coach John Longmire’s impact at the club, and what he means to the players.
“He’s just got so much passion. I’m sure you can probably hear him over 80,000 fans,” he laughed.
“He’s not going to have too much hair any longer.
“He’s a helluva coach.”
