HAWTHORN coach Sam Mitchell has defended James Sicily in the face of growing criticism of the captain’s form.
And Mitchell has backed his decision to send Tom Barrass forward during the round seven win over West Coast, despite the move putting noses out of joint at his former club.
“For the majority of the year he’s been in All-Australian form, I would say. He’s a beautiful kick of the footy,” Mitchell said on Friday.
“He hasn’t kicked the ball well. He’s still finding it, he’s still defending well (and) he’s not having scores kicked on him.
“He just hasn’t kicked the ball very well, but he’s still a good kick, so I’m far from concerned.
James Sicily kicks the ball during the R5 match between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
“I know there’s a lot of media narrative about him but he’s a pro, he’s out here working on his craft and he hasn’t lost kicking talent, so I’m not concerned.”
Mitchell raised eyebrows when he sent boom recruit Barrass forward during the Hawks’ comfortable 50-point win over West Coast last Sunday.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter clearly wasn’t impressed with seeing Barrass, who left the WA club at the end of last year, in the unfamiliar position.
The 29-year-old, who had only kicked one goal in his 156-game career, moved into attack and matched up on West Coast captain Oscar Allen at the start of the fourth quarter.
McQualter stopped short of declaring the move disrespectful, but bristled post-match when he said: “I probably shouldn’t say, because I don’t know what was going on in their team, to be honest.
“But that’s their prerogative, I suppose.”
On Friday, Mitchell said the reaction to the move was “certainly not something we considered” at the time.
Mitchell likened the tactic to moving Sicily, Blake Hardwick, Josh Weddle and Harry Morrison into different positions at stages this year.
“We felt like the game was in reasonably strong hands,” Mitchell said.
“Quite often that’s been a James Sicily or Blake Hardwick swap.
“But we’ve also moved Josh Weddle forward at different stages and it’s something that we’d like to explore with other players as well.”
Hawthorn (5-2) will celebrate 100 years in the AFL/VFL in a home clash with Richmond (2-5) at the MCG on Sunday.
