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Sport Nation
Sicily simplicity: Why Hawks need a stable skipper
SEN • August 1st, 2025 10:13 am
As wins become crucial in the closing stages of 2025, Hawthorn got the job done over the Carlton last week due to a stellar captain’s performance.
Playing out his highest rated game this season, James Sicily returned to the form of his former self, managing 25 disposals, 14 intercepts and 11 marks in the back half all while using the ball with extremely high efficiency.
Currently enduring his lowest rated season since 2017, Sicily’s struggle for form has been well documented, and in the absence of Josh Weddle, the skipper’s importance to the side has grown exponentially.
That being said, the captain stood up when called upon, looking every bit the star that Hawthorn requires within their defensive setup.
With an incredibly difficult run home, Hawks great Luke Hodge believes that the skipper will need to continue to perform at the highest level if the club wants to progress any further in 2025.
“I think he was someone who was almost trying too hard,” Hodge told SEN’s Whateley.
“The Hawks’ flairy ball, the ‘Hollywood Hawks’, he was getting caught up in it. I thought he led perfectly on the weekend by being the stable leader across half-back.
“His first kick was a nice, simple, easy kick, and from then, it was his highest rated game since 2023.
“I love the fact that there were kicks that he could have bitten off a little bit more than he should – that’s what he did early in the season and turned the ball over.
“He assessed what he’d been doing well, what he hadn’t been doing (well), and he took the easy job and led from the front.
“For Hawthorn to take that next step, they need their forwards back in, they need Will Day back, and they need their skipper playing the football that he did on Thursday night.
“It’s a good starting point, and great maturity from him.”
The Hawks are set to take on the Crows in a blockbuster Friday night clash at the Adelaide Oval.
A win would see them move into the top four momentarily, while a loss would put them back in the muck with a spot in the eight still up for grabs.
