Hawks aim to stick together

AFL: Hawthorn star James Sicily has revealed master coach Alastair Clarkson is urging his players to show why the Hawks are the family club.

As the coronavirus shutdown forced staff across the AFL world to be stood down, Sicily said Clarkson had helped “put things in perspective”.

“It’s a really big challenge that we’re facing and he said ‘we’re the family club and it’s time to show why we are the family club and look after our own. Everyone’s struggling, let’s try to help one another out,’” Sicily said.

After the Hawks’ defeat of Brisbane on Sunday, Clarkson (pictured) launched an impassioned plea to Australians to take the coronavirus threat seriously and follow the instructions of health experts.

Sicily said the players met at the club on Monday and were told they could not attend the club for five weeks.

“Can’t kick-to-kick with your teammates, just doing that solation period now, which is very bizarre, and even have to work out at home and do a bit of self-isolation,” he said.

“It’s so different. The club is talking about doing Skype calls so we can see each others’ faces and still interact with one another.”

Sicily believes he will handle the long period of isolation well.

“My life won’t really change that much,” he said.

“I’m a bit of a nerd. I can happily just sit on the XBox or the computer for a few hours and be real sedentary. I don’t mind that sort of lifestyle.

“My partner might get a bit mad with it – she won’t be too keen on staying home for that long.

“It’s just a time we just have to do it.”

Michael Randall