‘Finding a balance’ the key for Sicily

IN-FORM Hawks defender James Sicily believes he has struck a balance between an aggression that often straddles the line and the capacity to stay out of trouble – creating a synergy that has pushed him into All-Australian contention this year.

Importantly, that has also meant he is getting less verbal attention from the opposition.

Fresh from his three-goal third quarter against Adelaide last week that saw him earn the maximum AFL Coaches’ Association votes, Sicily said he has made a conscious effort to avoid doing the “silly stuff” that has cost him time on the sidelines in the past

“I only cop it from the opposition if I try to bring it on myself,” Sicily said. “I have just been going out and playing; it’s all about finding a balance.”

Sicily has drawn comparisons with past Hawks greats Dermott Brereton and Peter Knights for his ability to impact on a game, as was the case against the helpless Crows who couldn’t stop him last week.

The 23-year-old had his share of troubles earlier this year, with a one-game ban in Round 3 for dropping a knee into Geelong’s Joel Selwood and another week out after a Round 5 incident when he stomped on Roo Shaun Atley.

“I don’t want to be missing games over the silly stuff; I want to be out there playing with the boys,” he said.

Sicily moved to defence in the last half of the 2017 season, producing his best football, and has elevated that further this season. But he doesn’t mind pushing forward of the centre.

“It is pretty rare to kick goals as a defender, so when you get the chance, you are always going to take it,” he said.

“I am loving playing in defence. We’ve got a really tight group down there.”