Hawthorn’s ‘move of the year’ stuns Fremantle as Hawks keep finals hopes alive

Sam Mitchell made a decisive move that swung the game the Hawks’ way as they shocked Freo and kept their season alive.

James Sicily kicked two clutch goals and Hawthorn ran over the top of Fremantle in a 13-point win in Tasmania, 13.9 (87) to 10.14 (74), to keep its finals dream alive.

Trailing at three-quarter time, the Hawks kicked five goals to one in the last term including the last three in a row to put the Dockers away, with Sicily’s switch forward proving a masterstroke by coach Sam Mitchell.

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“They could be the fairytale of the year. From last maybe to finals,” Dwayne Russell exclaimed on Fox Footy.

With it, Mitchell’s 8-8 side climbed into equal eighth spot on the ladder ahead of a huge showdown with Collingwood next week, while the 10-6 Dockers were denied a top two spot.

A Sicily miracle goal gets given the all clear after a score review...

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A magical mark from the Wizard, and a MASSIVE goal for Hawthorn! 🎩

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With the Hawks needing a spark during the third term as Fremantle threatened to kick away, the Hawthorn coach pulled what one Fox Footy expert believes is the “in-game move of the year”.

Mitchell swung captain Sicily into attack, as the skipper appeared limited on his usual output due to a recent shoulder issue.

Sicily stood tall, kicking three crucial goals as the Hawks made their charge, Mitchell’s move proving an absolute masterstroke.

“It may be the in-game move of the year, to win a game in the balance,” North Melbourne champion David King said on Fox Footy.

“I think he’s recognised the fact that he can’t tackle down back, he’s been exposed a couple of times but he’s too good a leader and too good a player to be removed from the game.

“What a player, he’s pushed through the pain barrier for his team.”

James Sicily celebrates a goal during the win over Fremantle. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Sicily conceded he wasn’t at his best in defence, but was pleased with his contribution forward of centre as he revealed in a cheeky post-match interview with Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney.

“You said to me off air you’ve still got it, let’s be honest you said that,” Mooney began post-match.

“I don’t know, yeah, I did say that,” Sicily laughed.

“I wasn’t doing much down back, I was probably becoming a bit of a liability so I was rapt the coach made that move.”

Cats champion Mooney lauded Mitchell’s courage to swing the magnets.

“We love when the coaches throw the magnets around,” he said.

Recently re-signed swingman Blake Hardwick started forward before moving back to defence, while exciting youngster Josh Weddle was moved forward at stages to create a spark as well.

The pressure throughout the contest was sky high from both clubs.

Sam Mitchell made the key moves for the Hawks. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“It started out as an AFL game and then an NRL game broke out, it’s been a tackle fest,” Russell said.

“For the first time in 25 years of commentary, the tackle is the highlight of half time, the irresistible force meeting the immovable object,” former Swans champion Gerard Healey replied.

“Both clubs have been absolutely fantastic, it’s ferocious, it’s tough and it’s going to challenge the law-makers.”

Midfielders James Worpel and Will Day found plenty of the footy with 24 disposals apiece, while veteran Luke Breust and promising youngster Calsher Dear each booted two goals.

The Hawks will look to keep their finals flame flickering when they take on Collingwood at the MCG next week.

In the words of Healey: “The Sam Mitchell revolution is gaining ground rapidly.”

Originally published as Hawthorn’s ‘move of the year’ stuns Fremantle as Hawks keep finals hopes alive