AFL figures stunned as Hawk James Sicily beats kicking charge

James Sicily is free to play this weekend over his kicking charge and the ruling from the AFL Tribunal has not gone down well.

James Sicily kicks out against Essendon. Photos: Getty Images

Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak admits he’d be “pretty angry” if a teammate was kicked in a similar fashion to Hawk James Sicily’s action against Essendon on Saturday.

Hawthorn captain Sicily has been cleared to play after successfully downgrading his one-game suspension for kicking at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

The defender lashed out at Essendon’s Andrew McGrath after the Bomber ran towards him early in their clash at the MCG.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

The decision has been highly questioned in a number of circles and Boak conceded Sicily’s action was “not a great look”.

Boak was asked on AFL 360 what he would do if a teammate received the same action from Sicily.

“Yeah I’d be pretty angry, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I guess, when you look at it in terms of someone kicking someone else, it looks and sounds pretty bad.

James Sicily kicking Andrew McGrath at the MCG. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“There’s no doubt that as teammates you’d remonstrate for that for sure.

“But the way the Tribunal works is if there’s (sufficient) force behind certain things as well.

“But kicking is certainly one that’s not part of our game.”

The Hawks contested the impact grading – which was medium, along with intentional conduct and body contact – and successfully argued the kick wasn’t strong enough to warrant it.

It was reduced to low, meaning Sicily has been fined $2500 but can still play against Melbourne this weekend.

The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson exploded over the ruling on AFL 360.

“I find it ludicrous that the AFL tribunal allows a person to kick another player and be fined,” he said.

“The players are the best judge of this — look at them all attack Sicily for what he did. They all went for him, it’s not on.

Travis Boak wasn’t impressed with Sicily’s action. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

“The AFL Tribunal has let down football tonight, I don’t say that lightly. I don’t say that often because I really love the game and the players for what they do.

“But there comes a time when we’ve got to protect the game, all of us — the fans, media, players and coaches. And I think the tribunal has let football down.

“I’m just staggered.”

The reaction on social media was mostly shock at the decision.

“So kicking a player is okay now, right,” was one comment.

“If the AFL has any integrity they would appeal this decision. But they won’t,” wrote another.

“Just remember kids … kicking opponents is allowed in our game. Bravo,” added a third.

There were some, however, who supported the ruling.

James Sicily is free to play this weekend after his one-match ban for this incident with Andrew McGrath was overturned at the Tribunal.

More details: https://t.co/8GtSa7FsOapic.twitter.com/FO4OCdSnAM

— AFL (@AFL) March 19, 2024

“Someone needs to be sacked for determining this was a week in the first place,” was one comment.

“Correct decision,” replied another simply.

Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe was surprised the Hawks were challenging the original one-game sanction.

“I didn’t recognise the impact and how forceful it was,” he said on 360. “It’s not an ideal look if you’re kicking someone.

“When I saw they were going for the challenge, I thought it was going to be unsuccessful given that he kicked someone.

“But maybe they’re smarter than me and they realised he had an opportunity to get off.”