Sam Mitchell Shuts Down James Sicily Speculation Amid Media Scrutiny
If you’ve been keeping an ear to the ground in the AFL world this week, you've probably heard some of the noise around Hawthorn captain James Sicily. Well, let me tell you—Hawks coach Sam Mitchell isn’t having any of it. In fact, he’s labeled it all a "storm in a teacup," and honestly, that sums it up pretty well.
So, here’s the story. Sicily, known for his elite kicking and intercept play, has come under the microscope recently. Some media pundits and former players, including Luke Hodge and Matthew Lloyd, have questioned his current form. They've even speculated whether a supposed groin issue is affecting his output. But according to Mitchell, all of that is just off the mark.
At a recent press conference, Mitchell was quick to put those rumors to bed. He was direct and clear—there’s no injury, Sicily’s groins are fine, and his kicking is not an issue. In fact, Mitchell was adamant that the captain’s kicking last week was exceptional. “Go back and watch his kicks,” he said, almost daring reporters to point out flaws. “He’s pulled off kicks in the last month that hardly anyone in the competition can manage.”
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And it’s not just about kicks. Sicily’s overall game might not be at his personal best, but Mitchell emphasized that no one’s playing perfect footy right now. What matters most is his leadership, which has remained strong through a tough stretch for the team. “He’s led us really well,” Mitchell said, highlighting how Sicily continues to set the standard, especially during challenging periods.
Look, it’s true that the Hawks haven’t been in top form lately—coming off losses to Gold Coast and Brisbane, and facing a tough stretch against Collingwood, the Bulldogs, and Adelaide. So naturally, people start pointing fingers. But Mitchell made it clear: Sicily is not the problem. He’s part of the solution.
Even statistically, Sicily isn't as far off as critics might suggest. While his disposals and marks are slightly down compared to his peak, he still maintains solid intercept numbers. And let’s not forget—he played at 100% kicking efficiency last week against Brisbane. That’s not exactly the output of someone struggling.
Sure, emotions run high—Mitchell himself was seen thumping the hoarding in frustration during a recent match. But he’s not directing that frustration at his captain. In fact, he’s defending him fiercely. That says a lot about how much trust the coach still places in Sicily, not just as a player, but as a leader.
So while the media might be circling, Mitchell is drawing a clear line in the sand. For him, James Sicily is still one of the pillars of Hawthorn’s side—flawed, maybe, but far from failing. This whole saga? Yeah, just a storm in a teacup.
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