“Flick the switch”: Skipper not worried about the showtime Hawks

Hawthorn captain James Sicily, who is enjoying his football more than ever, believes his young and enthusiastic teammates can “flick the switch” when necessary.

After a rough start to the season with an 0-5 record, the Hawks have become a dynamic team, with players like Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson stepping up and giving them a surprising chance at finals for the first time since 2018.

Their performances have been matched by lively celebrations and intense trash talk, highlighted by Hawthorn’s impressive 66-point victory over reigning champions Collingwood last Saturday. Ginnivan, a former Magpie, stirred up Collingwood supporters by celebrating exuberantly after what he described as the best game of his career.

Sicily praised the young players for their confidence and ability to express themselves, while also balancing this with hard work when required. He emphasized their strong work ethic and ability to switch gears between fun and seriousness.

Sicily, who has been dealing with a persistent shoulder injury, relishes leading a team full of promising young talent and is enjoying the current brand of football. He admitted that, while he enjoyed his earlier days with Hawthorn, the current experience is particularly satisfying.

Watson, who was nominated for the Telstra AFL Rising Star award after a standout performance against Collingwood, echoed Sicily’s sentiments about balancing fun with work. Hawthorn has won seven of their last eight games and ten of their last thirteen, putting them on the cusp of an unexpected finals appearance.

Sicily stressed that while making the finals is exciting, the team needs to focus on their remaining work to avoid just limping into September.