Ric Dalby

Eric Dalby is a bully and a troublemaker – and a clever one at that. This good-looking teen seems to have no respect for authority, or for the feelings of his victims. For him, causing trouble is a delicious pastime. It seems he's a chip off the old block! He grew up in Yabbie Creek as an only child. He and his mother Maggie were extremely close. She saw beyond his rebellious exterior to the playful, insecure boy beneath

— The official Home and Away website on Ric (2004).[4]

Prior to his on-screen arrival, Ric's had an unhappy childhood and suffered abuse from his father Owen Dalby. This became a catalyst in forming his attitude problems.[4] Initially the serial's official website said that Ric takes "great pleasure" in bullying those who he sees as vulnerable. However, after spending time in Summer Bay he changes his ways and becomes a "stand-up guy".[5] Home and Away's overseas broadcaster, Five said that Ric managed to put "problematic past well and truly behind him" and got back "on the rails". Ric had "settled into a fairly typical routine for a lad of his age". They also described him as a "keen sportsman and is always up for a good time".[6]

Furze has said that he is in some ways similar to Ric. Furze said that playing the same character over a long time period meant that Ric adopted his own traits. Though he proclaimed "I'm not as aggressive as him". Furze said that Ric's aggressive nature was "awesome" to portray. He opined that it made him one of the best characters as Ric always gets into fights, adding "it's great when he snaps at everyone". While Ric transforms into a "nice guy" and becomes "a bit soft", he retains his "crazy temper where he'll snap". Furze said he was okay with the changes to his persona and said that Ric's "good sides" to his persona would continue to develop. Furze state that he would prefer more "blokey" scenes for Ric so he would not end up being perceived as a "handbag".[7]

Indiana Evans and Mark Furze (pictured) play on-screen lovers Matilda and Ric.

Ric's early relationships are played out with the characters of Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson) and Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey). While dating Cassie, the "cheeky" Belle decides to "sabotage" Ric and Cassie's relationship. The storyline sees Belle attempting steal Ric from Cassie by seducing him and Tovey said that the storyline had comedic value.[8] Producers later decided to end Ric's relationship with Cassie. Furze said that the scene involving their break up was "big". Furze and Vinson were not happy with the scene so requested changes from the scriptwriter. After which Furze said the scenes "went very well" and involved a dramatic element. They had to approach the scenes with "more powerful acting" and Furze was shocked at how emotional it became. He also opined that viewers felt thought the scenes were "intense and convincing".[9]

Ric later begins a relationship with Matilda Hunter (Indiana Evans). Their early storylines focus of archetypal rites of passage. After Ric forgives Matilda for kissing Reuben Humpheries (Dan Ewing), she decides to move in with him to further their commitment. Furze said that Ric was uncomfortable with the move because Matilda is still at school and he fears they are moving too fast. Ric also questions whether she is doing it for right reasons.[10] Ric and Matilda also have pregnancy scare, Ric discovers a pregnancy test and presumes it is Matilda's. Ric argues with Matilda and Furze he could understand Ric's reaction because he is still young. He added that "everything seems to be happening so fast" for Ric and Matilda. While Matilda soon reveals that she is not pregnant.[11]

In August 2007, it was announced that Simone McAullay had joined the guest cast of Home and Away as Viv Anderson, an older woman who would seduce Ric.[12] McAullay described Viv as a "sleazy" female with an "ulterior motive" who just turns up where ever Ric is and comes onto him.[13] Viv tells Ric that she is in danger because of her husband, while Ric starts spending time with her. Matilda soon becomes jealous and when she presumes Ric is sleeping with Viv, she ends their relationship. Ric then visits Viv and ends up in bed with her. Furze said that Ric had never wanted to be unfaithful to Matilda and because he thinks Matilda does not want him and Viv makes it clear she does – "he has gone for it". McAullay opined that because Matilda had been accusing them of cheating for weeks, that Ric thinks he has nothing left to lose so he "might as well" sleep with Viv. She added that Ric is "completely devastated" the next morning, Viv realises sees the reality of the situation and "just how manipulative she has been – She's been completely inconsiderate of these young people’s lives."[14]

While Ric and Matilda later reunite, the next part of the story arc begins and their happiness is short lived when Viv reveals that she is pregnant. Evans said that Matilda feels sorry for Viv and evens offers to support her. However, Matilda is already upset as it falls on the one year anniversary of her mother's death.[15] Evans added that Matilda does not feel strong as she had always counted on Ric's support, but does not want to cause any further stress. Matilda is "left with nothing to hold onto" and Viv's pregnancy also makes her doubt that her relationship with Ric will survive. Though, Evans said "I don't think Matilda has doubts about Ric or their relationship, but because of the situation they're in, she doubts their future and whether they'll be able to stand strong." Furze said the story arc made their relationship worse because all Ric needed to do was offer Matilda his support.[15]

Matilda decides to move to Perth to attend university, and asks a reluctant Ric to join her or she will end their relationship. Ric decides to stay in Summer Bay, so Matilda leaves. Furze said that while Matilda thought Ric would follow her, she had enough of supporting Ric through his "big life dramas". Matilda is angry that Ric is not prepared to support her with something "she wants to do for herself". Furze said that he disagreed with Ric and Matilda contemplating a long-distance relationship because their feelings for one another "are strong", not seeing each other would ruin their relationship.[16] Ric becomes good friends with Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes) and mistakenly kisses her. When another male answers Matilda's phone, Ric presumes she has moved on. Furze said it was a testament to Ric's character, presuming the worst.[17] He added that Ric is "miserable" and even though he has a "great opportunity" working at the bait shop – "it doesn't mean anything without Matilda". Ric thinks seducing Kirsty will make himself feel better. Hayes said that Kirsty is supportive of Ric and attempts to repair Ric and Matilda's relationship. She added that "Ric is drawn to Kirsty because of her mature attitude to relationships", but Kirsty does not reciprocate to his kiss. Furze concluded that Ric was ultimately attempting cover up his feelings for Matilda.[17] In their final storyline together, Ric and Matilda reunite in Perth and the storyline formed their exits from the serial.[18]

Scenes featuring Ric in prison were filmed at the Maitland Gaol, New South Wales.

Ric is often featured in various fight sequences the serial airs. In one storyline, a "violent encounter" with Rocco Cooper (Ian Meadows) lands Ric in prison facing a murder charge.[19] While in prison Ric faces violence from his old enemy and Rocco's brother, Johnny Cooper (Callan Mulvey). Furze said it continued the theme of Ric constantly getting into fights.[20] The scenes were filmed in November 2006 at the historic New South Wales prison, the Maitland Gaol. The scenes took four days to film and involved a number of the cast who were involved in Ric's story arc.[21][22] Furze said if he was in charge, Ric would have been involved in fights every week on Home and Away. Furze predicted that Ric would be involved in many more fighting scenes because of his persona.[19]

After Ric has an affair with Viv, she becomes pregnant. Furze's prediction proved true when Viv's husband Noel (Steven Vidler) forces Ric to take part in Bare-knuckle boxing.[23] When Furze was first told that Ric would be involved in bare-knuckle fighting, Furze "did not hesitate" to agree to portray the issue. Furze said that he liked the idea of being involved in stunts and action sequences. Furze opined that the storyline was "in keeping with Ric's character" because he first entered the serial with "a chip on his shoulder". He felt that many other fictional characters that start out bad, reform to easy and that he did not want Ric's temperamental side to be sacrificed.[24] In the research stage, professional boxer Anthony Mundine gave Furze advice and tips about the sport.[25] Furze also had knowledge of boxing as he uses boxing as part of his fitness regime and also put in extra training at the gym.[20]

On-screen Ric attempts to stop fighting, but has to "fight to save the life of his unborn child". If he refuses then Noel will to force Viv into an abortion.[23] While Ric does not want the baby, "he will support whatever decision Viv makes" and Ric feels he has to go ahead with the fight.[26] Noel is "desperate for Ric to fight" because he wants to give his punters the fight "they feel they deserve". Ric does not back down because he has a fear of "his manliness being brought into question". Furze said "Ric's not stupid; he knows he's at serious risk". Ric's opponent is Logan who has a grudge against Ric due to his links with gang member Johnny. Furze said that factor "could be the death of him – literally". At the same time, Ric is working alongside police officer Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien) to bring the illegal fights to an end. This heightens the element of danger in the plot, while Ric's girlfriend Matilda decides to stand by Ric because she thinks he is doing the right thing. When the police ruin their operation, Ric is forced to fight. The situation escalates and Furze said that "Ric finds himself being ordered to finish the fight at gunpoint. Noel wants him punished and it doesn't look good… Ric knows he's at serious risk."[23]

The storyline cumulates when Ric starts working at a jewellery shop. The shop is then subjected to an armed robbery carried out by Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell). Ric's latest drama along with Viv's pregnancy and the illegal fights take a negative impact on Ric's health.[27] Furze told TV Week that all three events leave Ric "shaken up" and unable to cope. It gets "too much and something in his head just snaps" and he suffers a panic attack. Ric knew he had been feeling stressed for a while. The serial used Ric's "standard tough-guy act" again which sees him blocking out the stress and "getting on with it". At this point in the story, Ric is brought to the realisation that "things have gone too far". Ric attends counselling sessions with Rachel Armstrong (Amy Mathews) and begins to get his life back together.[27]