AFL games: 22
Disposals per game: 23.8
Marks: 8.6
Metres gained: 590.1
Intercept possessions: 8.5
Rebound 50s: 8.1

Season summary:

After missing the second half of the 2020 season and the entirety of last year due to a knee injury, Sicily remarkably elevated his game to another level in 2022.

The 27-year-old cemented his status as arguably the AFL’s most elite intercept and rebounding defender after leading the league in total marks and rebounds 50s, while ranking second for the most intercepts and rounding out the top three in total metres gained for the year.

Sicily’s averages of 23.8 disposals, 8.6 marks and 6.6 spoils were all career-bests in a stellar season where he also served as stand-in captain for several weeks.

While his efforts were widely celebrated among the brown and gold army, Sicily’s season was also recognised by the wider football community with selection in the 2022 All Australian squad.

Best AFL game:

Sicily’s saved his best for last in season 2022, where he collected a career-high 33 disposals in Round 23 against the Western Bulldogs. In an outing that saw him take 28 kicks at 98% efficiency, the star defender also clunked 17 marks, as he dominated across half back and through the midfield.

How the coaches saw him:

“Following more than a year on the sidelines due to injury, Sis came back this year and was influential from the get-go. He was a really consistent performer across the course of the season and was one of four Hawks to play every game. He averaged a career-high 24 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency which is very impressive. He finished first in the league for marks and second for intercept possessions while playing on some of the oppositions best key forwards. Aside from his on-field output, Sis was also an exceptional leader for us this year, taking on the captaincy duties while McEvoy was out for injury.” – Chris Newman