Hawthorn Faces Double Blow as Two Players Risk Suspension
Hawthorn is set to face a challenging week as two of its key players, James Sicily and Dylan Moore, could be sidelined due to potential suspensions following incidents during their recent match against Port Adelaide. The Hawks narrowly secured a 13.11 (89) to 13.8 (86) victory, but the team is now anxiously awaiting the findings from the AFL match review officer.
During the third term at Marvel Stadium, both Sicily and Moore were involved in incidents with Port player Logan Evans. The umpires determined that both players had delivered “gut punches” to Evans, resulting in free-kicks for the Power. These actions have raised concerns about the disciplinary standards within the team.
AFL boss Greg Swann had previously warned that gut-punches would lead to an automatic one-week suspension starting in 2026, as the act has become increasingly common in the game. With this in mind, it appears likely that Sicily and Moore will miss next week’s match against Gold Coast.
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall expressed his disappointment with the actions of Sicily and Moore, suggesting that they should have been more composed in response to Evans’ taunts. “I find it incredibly frustrating when I watch acts of ill-discipline or petulance like that,” he said on Fox Footy. “You’ve got to be able to cope with that, and the fact is, those players may find themselves out for a week for something that minor, and don’t begrudge if they get rubbed out for a week – they know what the rules are.”
Adam Simpson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline, especially when the team’s captain is involved. “When it’s your captain (Sicily) as well…when the focus in the off-season has been on that, that’s what you need to avoid when you retaliate.”
Coach Addresses Suspension Concerns
Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn’s coach, was asked after the match whether the team had anything to worry about ahead of their Anzac Day clash against Gold Coast in Launceston. His response was cautious: “I haven’t seen it (the incidents) and I hope not.” However, he acknowledged that the team learned a valuable lesson from Port superstar Zak Butters, who nearly led his side to victory after a poor start.
Mitchell highlighted the need for the team to improve its ability to shut down opposition stars. “We haven’t quite mastered that part of our game just yet … being able to shut down an opposition star is something that every club needs in their kit bag,” he said. “Whether you can do it with someone as good as Zak Butters, in the form he’s in right now, we haven’t proved we can do that and keep the game on our terms.”
As the team prepares for the upcoming match, the focus remains on the potential suspensions of Sicily and Moore. The situation underscores the importance of discipline and composure on the field, especially in high-stakes games. With the AFL’s strict policies on gut-punches, the Hawks will need to navigate this challenge carefully to ensure they remain competitive throughout the season.
