QUITTING a promising VFL career for country footy takes guts, but Brant Dickson has no regrets.
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The key position player was persuaded by former Werribee teammate James Saker to join Lavington for the 2012 season, and hasn’t looked back.
“We were driving home from a game in Ballarat and he pitched the club to me and things worked out,” the 28-year-old said.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better club to go to.
“The committee is super, the supporters are super and the help we get is second to non.”
Dickson, who grew up in Bacchus Marsh, played TAC Cup for the Western Jets before progressing to the VFL with Williamstown, and then Werribee.
His flexibility is one of his biggest strengths – Dickson can play in the ruck and at both ends of the ground - and he’s crucial to Lavington making its first grand final since 2008.
Dickson knows the Panthers will have to be at the top of their game to beat Albury at Birallee Park in the grand final qualifier.
But they’re full of confidence after last week’s victory over Wodonga Raiders.
“It’s going to be a massive game,” he said.
“We are really excited for the challenge.
“You’d love to win and go straight through and have your spot secure.
“As soon as you get a spot in the grand final the better position you are in.”
Albury and Lavington have played twice this season, splitting their games.
The Panthers got the chocolates the last time they met, winning by 51 points at home in round 16.
Albury thrashed Yarrawonga a week later before suffering a shock loss away to the Wangaratta Rovers in their last game before earning the week off.
Despite the mini form slump, the Tigers welcome back star midfielder Dean Polo from injury in a massive boost to their chances of playing off in a seventh consecutive decider.
“He’s had a month off and should be right to go,” Dickson said.
“We are just going to back our midfield against theirs.
“We probably won’t go head to head with anyone.
“It worked last time that we played them.”
Lavington didn’t put a foot wrong against the Raiders, but Dickson says the club has not yet reached its peak.
“We’ve got a lot of improvement left in us,” he said.
“Our first half was average at best last week.
“We adjusted a bit at halftime and showed what we could do.
”We’re as strong as we’ve looked on paper, but it doesn’t really mean anything unless we perform on Saturday against Albury.”
