AFL 2024: Hawthorn captain James Sicily playing under duress

The Hawks are firing on all cylinders but captain James Sicily is tackling an on-field dilemma as he battles a shoulder injury.

Hawthorn captain James Sicily is taking a pragmatic approach to managing his sore shoulder on the field as he pursues his first finals campaign since 2018. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Hawthorn captain James Sicily says his body is just “hanging on” as he tries to lead his side to its first finals campaign in six years.

Almost certain to require surgery at the season’s end after twice dislocating his shoulder, the star defender said he was prepared to look bad to protect his injury and keep himself on the field.

The 29-year-old missed two games after the first dislocation against the Bulldogs and was sidelined for only a week after re-injuring his shoulder in Perth against the Eagles.

“I get managed through the week but once you cross the white line there’s no excuses and the expectation is to perform,” Sicily said ahead of his 150th game in Adelaide on Sunday.

James Sicily says he might sometimes look like he is shirking a contest to protect his shoulder and keep himself out on the field in the latter stages of this season. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

“There’s some conservative stuff I’m doing out on the ground to protect myself, and sometimes that might make me look a bit like a dill or not as strong as I need to be at some contests.

“But until I can get a little bit more strength in my shoulder, then I’ll get a bit more confidence out of that. I’m not in any pain when I go out in the field or anything like that.”

Sicily called himself a “liability” in the round 18 win over Fremantle before his matchwinning move forward.

But he said it gave him confidence he could move into attack if he was struggling with his shoulder in games.

An away win over the Crows should bring the Hawks up to equal points with the top eight before a crucial pair of matches against GWS in Canberra and Carlton at the MCG.

“The carrot of playing finals is definitely very motivating … it’s a great spot to be in as a club when you’re challenging for finals,” Sicily said.

Hawthorn forwards Nick Watson (standing) and Jack Ginnivan wrestle at Waverley Park on Tuesday. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

“We don’t want to be the team that just limps into finals … we have heaps of work to do, and we want to be a team that is constantly challenging for top four, top two in the future.”

Previously held by many as Hawthorn’s loose cannon on the field, Sicily said he sometimes had no idea “what’s going on” with the brash, young brigade of Hawks led by Jack Ginnivan who torched Collingwood on Saturday.

“I sometimes bury my head in the sand – I don’t know what’s going on, I just let them do their thing,” the captain said.

“A lot of these young guys feel really comfortable expressing themselves and being who they want to be in our environment, and that’s something we are really proud of.

“A lot of the young guys have a really strong work ethic and are able to flick the switch when it’s time to be really serious, but when it’s time to have joy and fun, particularly on offence, you want to express yourself and play with freedom.”