Hawthorn skipper James Sicily hit for six over boring Tasmania sledge

“We’re not boring” - Tassie cricket superstar Matthew Wade’s offer to Hawks captain James Sicily. INSIDE THE WAR OF WORDS >>

TASMANIAN cricket star Matthew Wade has hit James Sicily for six, firing back at the Hawthorn skipper after he bagged the international batsman’s home state as boring.

Sicily said on Melbourne radio that player retention could be a problem for an AFL team based in Tasmania in a damaging foot-in-mouth moment against the state that sponsors his team and has generated about $60m in direct sponsorship, game-day earnings and memberships to the Hawks since they debut in Launceston in 2001.

“I think so, particularly as a young guy, because there’s not much happening down there, it could be difficult,” Sicily told RSN.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: James Sicily of the Hawks grimaces during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at UTAS Stadium on April 23, 2023 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I couldn’t imagine myself living there. It would be hard.

“It’s a difficult one. I’ve only spent time in ‘Launnie’.

“Hobart is a bit different, I think there’s a bit more happening in Hobart.

“I haven’t had too much experience in Hobart, but it would be hard.”

Wade, a Hobart Hurricane and a key member of the Australian team that won the 2021 T20 World Cup, came out swinging.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Matthew Wade of Australia and Aaron Finch of Australia think out using the DRS during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Perth Stadium on October 25, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

“Tassie people have been fighting for years for the chance to get an AFL team,” Wade said.

“Comments like this do not help us working towards our chance at showing just how good our little state is and will be with our own team.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 22: Matthew Wade of the Hurricanes bats during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes at Sydney Cricket Ground, on December 22, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Wade even offered to play tour guide for Sicily.

“Whenever you want, the door is open to come down and I can show you around our boring island if you like,” Wade said.

The outrage caused Sicily to back track on his sledge.

“I want to apologise to anyone I have offended or upset about my comments on Tasmania,” he said.

“The comments were flippant and do not reflect my views of Tasmania.

“What I said related to my personal situation, that through my career, my attachment to Melbourne would have made it hard to live in Tassie full-time.

“That’s not to say there are not many AFL footballers who would enjoy living there.

“I love coming down to Tassie to stay and play.

“I visit Tassie yearly outside of football to enjoy its golf courses and food.

“I’m proud of our long term relationship with the state and I continue to support Tasmania getting its own team.”

Tasmania’s Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson weighed in on Sicily’s comments on Thursday, calling them “pathetic”.

“I think it’s pretty pathetic. I think Tasmanians get pretty sick and tired of just another mainlander looking down their nose at us, and forgetting the great opportunity that our state is offering to our now 570,000 citizens,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We love our state and we don’t need to take our self-respect from somebody from another state, looking down their nose at us. We’re very proud of our state. We love living here. And we deserve a team. And we’re going to get one.”

Mr Ferguson said there would be “no doubt there’ll a grovelling apology later in the day”

“Those comments help to make the argument that we can stand on our own two feet, thanks very much,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we continue to enjoy a good relationship with the Hawthorn Football Club and I’m certain that those comments are out of place with the broader club’s own views and the way that they have played a role for the future of our club.”