AFL 2024: James Sicily admits to from drop as Hawthorn skipper aims to improve

The Hawks skipper has been ‘below what is expected’ to start the season and a drastic drop in his numbers show how far he has fallen.

Hawthorn captain James Sicily has admitted his form has not been good enough to start the season as the numbers paint a drastic drop from the defender to start 2024.

The All-Australian has been well beaten in the past two weeks and has let through 11 goals against his direct match-ups this season.

Only North Melbourne’s Aidan Corr and Richmond’s Tylar Young have conceded more.

So strong in one-on-one battles last year as he snagged his first team of the season honour, Sicily has seen his win percentage in those contests plummet from 44 per cent last year to 14 this season.

James Sicily wants to lift. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

It is a complete flip on his 2023 numbers, with his one-on-one loss percentage jumping from 15 per cent last year to 44 per cent this season.

Melbourne goalkicker Bayley Fritsch bagged four majors against the Hawks skipper in round 3 before Cat Ollie Henry added another four on Easter Monday.

“Being honest, I am not playing like I have the last two years,” Sicily said.

“There are still plenty of games to go. We are three games in and I have been below what is expected of me but I am confident that I can get through it and it is all just a part of footy really. You go through these ups and downs and it is not all smooth sailing, it doesn’t work like that.”

Not only sound defensively, Sicily has been a brilliant interceptor and rebounder in recent years.

But his numbers with ball in hand have fallen away, having dropped from 26.4 disposals per game last year to 18 to begin this season, while his metres gained has fallen from 444 to 375.

Bailey Fritsch bagged four goals against James Sicily. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon got into the face of the combative Hawk in round 1 and he only gathered 11 disposals.

Coach Sam Mitchell said last week his captain had to work through opposition putting time into Sicily, and the defender said he did get ready for it each week.

“You just have to expect they are going to put time into players and I have just tried to focus on getting back to defending first and not really worrying about getting the ball too much,” he said.

“I definitely prepare for it, you might as well prepare for it and if it does happen you are sort of ready.

“It is just footy in the end. Sometimes you can dwell on it and let it affect who you are but it is a small chunk of your life … there is so much more out there than just footy.

“Three weeks of personally poor form, it doesn’t reflect necessarily the team form.”

Sicily said his Hawks were not that far off a breakthrough win as they prepare to face the reigning premier Collingwood to close Gather Round on Sunday.

Originally published as AFL 2024: James Sicily admits to from drop as Hawthorn skipper aims to improve