James Sicily to play for Hawthorn against Fremantle Dockers in round nine

May 5, 2026 — 12:17pm

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

Hawthorn co-captain James Sicily will line up in Thursday night’s blockbuster against Fremantle, while star midfielder Will Day is all but back in full training in a bid to make a return mid-season.

Sicily hurt his ankle in the draw with Collingwood at the MCG last Thursday, and was switched from defence to attack to help him finish the game.

He trained on Tuesday, when coach Sam Mitchell confirmed he would make the trip west for a “big test we feel like we are ready for”.

“He will be fine. He will play,” Mitchell said.

Advertisement

Hawthorn have won only one of their past eight games against Fremantle, and have not beaten the Dockers in Perth since 2018.

Day, arguably the Hawks’ best player, required a shoulder reconstruction after he was hurt in January. He had recently resumed contact training, with a view to returning through the VFL in the next month.

Mitchell revealed Day was effectively back in full training.

“But he’s still probably three to four weeks [away],” he said.

Advertisement

Forward Mabior Chol (hamstring) remains a fortnight from resuming.

Thursday’s clash at Optus Stadium shapes as the game of the round, for it pits second (Dockers) on the ladder against third (Hawks) in what could be a precursor to September.

Loading

The Dockers have won seven straight, their only loss this season coming against Geelong in round one.

“I feel like we have pretty good availability. We are in reasonable form. They are, obviously, the form team of the competition, [winnning] seven on the bounce,” Mitchell said.

Advertisement

“I went and watched their game last week. They probably said they weren’t at their best, but we still got the job done.”

Mitchell said dynamic utility Josh Weddle had taken a hit with his confidence in front of goal, but was confident that would change. Weddle has booted 4.11 this season.

“He’s had a lot of shots on goal this year. He just hasn’t been able to quite nail them … but ‘Wedds’ is a nice kick. So, when you are technically sound, it’s something that will turn around sooner rather than later,” Mitchell said.

Opponents have increasingly looked to avoid kicking long into their own forward line in a bid to hinder the aerial skills of Sicily and his fellow defenders Tom Barrass and Josh Battle. The Magpies even had Steele Sidebottom play as a defensive forward on Sicily in the first half last week in a bid to negate his ability to spark a counter-attack.

Advertisement

Mitchell said the Dockers would have a choice to make – back their own system, or alter their method.

“We know that our intercepting defenders are one of our strengths and weapons, and if teams want to kick long to them, then we will back them in,” Mitchell said.

“But, if they don’t, it’s not like we can’t win.”

Mitchell said there was a feeling of “nothingness” after last Thursday’s draw when the Hawks booted a wasteful 13.15 (93), while the efficient Magpies booted 15.3 (93), the draw certified after Dylan Moore’s post-siren goal.

Advertisement

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

More:

AFL 2026

Hawthorn Hawks

Fremantle Dockers

Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.

Click here to read article