AFL 2020: Hawthorn players have Alastair Clarkson’s back

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has found himself in the media spotlight after four straight losses. Hawks defender James Sicily has taken aim at the critics.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is udner the pump. Picture: Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Hawthorn star James Sicily has dismissed any scrutiny on master coach Alastair Clarkson as a media beat-up and says the struggling Hawks have vowed to move on quickly from a disastrous hub stay in Sydney.

The Hawks have lost their past four matches to Greater Western Sydney, Collingwood and Melbourne, all at Giants Stadium, and were toppled by the Swans at the SCG last week.

Now in their second hub in Perth, the 15th-placed Hawks are hoping a stint in the west can reignite their 2020 season.

The losing streak has placed some heat on Clarkson, but Sicily didn’t lend much weight to any talk about the four-time premiership coach being under pressure.

“I suppose he‘s under the pump because you guys (the media) try to put him under the pump, but we’ve got full trust in ‘Clarko’, his track record speak for itself,” he said.

“The playing group has full confidence that we’ll turn this (season) around and it’s not so much on him, it’s more on the players not playing to the standard that we usually do.”

Hawthorn faces Carlton at Optus Stadium this Friday, and Sicily believes a change of states can re-energise the players.

He admitted there have been days over the past few weeks when the players have felt flat but they‘re ready for the Blues this week ahead of next week’s bye.

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A dejected James Sicily after the Hawks’ loss to Melbourne in Round 7. Picture: Getty Images

“We‘re going to try and put the Sydney hub behind us,” Sicily said.

“Obviously it wasn’t great in terms of results, but we’re really excited to be in Perth to play at a pretty good stadium.

“There’ll be a bit of atmosphere and a little bit of crowd noise which is something I’m looking forward too.

“We’ve had a poor past month, but we’re looking forward to changing that.”

The team to face Carlton in the unusual slot of 3.40pm local time could be boosted by the return of Luke Bruest (jaw) and Jarman Impey (knee), with talls Jon Ceglar (toe) and Tim O’Brien (ankle) also a chance to play.

Sicily said the injection of the dynamic Impey would be massive against the Blues.

“He‘s full of energy and I’m excited for him to return,” he said.

“He‘s a valuable player for us and someone we really need at the moment, someone that clear really break the lines and use the ball well.”

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