Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell adamant best of under-fire skipper James Sicily will come when Hawks push for top-four spot

Hawthorn captain James Sicily was under the pump as the Hawks slumped, but his coach is adamant an injury lay-off is the perfect circuit breaker.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is adamant the best 2025 version of captain James Sicily will be in the second half of the season, after an injury lay-off, as he tries to play down talk the Hawks have “clicked” on the back of last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs.

Sicily had endured heavy scrutiny during a run of three-straight losses before he succumbed to a hip/abdominal issue that flared up against Collingwood, forcing him to take a break.

While Sicily’s return date remains unclear, Mitchell said he already sensed a new “vibrancy” in his skipper who would benefit from a “refresh” and in turn help the Hawks who reasserted their premiership credentials with a 22-point win over the Dogs.

“He’s got a bit of vibrancy and a bit of energy back,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.

“I think every player, when they have a week off, they feel like they don’t need it, but when they do, it’s like ‘oh I feel different’. He’s already starting to get that vibe about him now.

James Sicily was feeling the heat before an injury break. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’m not sure how the actual injury is … but getting a bit of a refresh for him has been important and getting the best from James Sicily in 2025 is hopefully in the second half of the season.”

A back-to-basics approach, with a focus on pressure absent in the losses, delivered the desired result against the Bulldogs, but another test awaits this week against the Adelaide Crows who have also surged in 2025.

The Crows toppled the reigning premiers Brisbane last week on the back of a 90-point demolition of last year’s grand finalists Sydney the week before in a signal of their own premiership intent.

It was enough for Mitchell to declare “last week doesn’t need to help us” this week, but there was a realisation from his players what was needed to contend with the best in the AFL.

“I’m trying to avoid the concept of ‘clicking’, it feels like that sometimes, but very much it’s hard work that needs to be focused in the right place,” he said.

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“The players, full credit to them, they knew the amount of pressure we put on Brisbane and Collingwood was not going to compete against the very best and the Dogs, they’d been in fantastic form to that point and same goes with Adelaide this week.

“They are going really well and we know that to get the job done against them we need to do the basics well and we need to be able to bring a game for a full four quarters that is going to trouble them.

“That’s clear and our focus is clear and precise in that.

“As far as clicking, it’s always a work in progress wherever you are at; last week doesn’t need to help us, so we need to renew our vows and go again.”

Mitchell said there was still a watch on midfielder James Worpel, who copped a corked thigh last week, and small forward Nick Watson, who is recovering from illness, with the hope of not making mass changes for the Crows clash in Tasmania.

Originally published as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell adamant best of under-fire skipper James Sicily will come when Hawks push for top-four spot