GRAND PRIX star Max Fricke will once again lead Leicester’s bid for ROWE Motor Oil Premiership silverware.

The Australian star joined the Lions on their return to the top flight in 2023 and led them to the 2024 Grand Final.

His 9.14 average is currently bettered only by countrymen Jason Doyle and Brady Kurtz and the 28-year-old from Victoria recorded a league-best six maximums in last year’s ROWE Motor Oil Premiership, going through the card at King’s Lynn and Ipswich.

There was also an 18-point full house plus Super Heat victory in the victory over King’s Lynn at Beaumont Park.

Fricke is also back full-time in the 2025 SGPs having been promoted from first reserve to replace Jason Doyle in last year’s series.

He joins Rising Star Sam Hagon as a confirmed starter for next season. One man not back in Leicester colours is Richard Lawson who has joined King’s Lynn for 2025.

Lions manager Stewart Dickson said: “I’m very happy that Max has committed to a third season. I think he’s feeling at home here now.

“I don’t think there was any real danger that it wasn’t going to happen because he’s pretty loyal and that works both ways.

“Max is fairly easy to deal with and seems to like the way the club is run, and also takes an interest in what I’m doing with the rest of the team, and we’re happy to have that input from him.

“Max definitely is one of the top boys in the league. His average is without bonus points, it’s almost ten with bonus points which is what I call the old school averages.

“I think it’s good for Leicester commercially that we have a GP rider leading the team.”

 

Words by George Dodds.

Images by Taylor Lanning.