James Sicily will lead Hawthorn into the future after being announced as the club’s captain ahead of the 2023 season.
The star defender is set to become the 38th appointed captain of Hawthorn, with the 28-year-old succeeding the retired Ben McEvoy who served in the role for two seasons.
Following a robust internal process, it was confirmed Sicily will lead the Hawks with the support of co-vice captains Luke Breust and Dylan Moore.
Sam Frost, Jarman Impey and Mitch Lewis will round out a six-man leadership group that will be known as ‘Moorditj Kuda’, which translates as ‘solid’ or ‘excellent’ (Moorditj) and ‘brothers’ or ‘mates’ (Kuda) in Noongar language.
A highly respected teammate, Sicily is known for his passion, determination and resilience and has emerged as one of the club’s key pillars in recent years.
CEO Justin Reeves congratulated Sicily on his appointment, making note of Sicily’s remarkable development both on and off the field across his nine seasons in the brown and gold.
“The club is truly delighted to welcome James Sicily into an esteemed group of Hawthorn people as captain of the Hawks,” Reeves said.
“The respect James has built with his teammates, coaches and our broader Hawthorn family gives us great confidence that he is the right person to lead this club into its exciting future.
“He has a great love and passion for the game and, just as importantly, for Hawthorn Football Club and I’m extremely excited to see him make his mark with this honoured duty.
“Luke’s inclusion as vice captain is a testament to his natural leadership qualities, his loyalty and his commitment to this club during his 14 seasons at Hawthorn.
“He has a become a real role model for our young group and I know he feels a responsibility to embed premiership-level standards and values into this group’s attitude.
“Dylan is the ultimate teammate and the ideal third piece in this captaincy structure.
“He has an incredible hunger for hard work, and he is also one of the most respected members of our Hawthorn community.
“Along with Jarman, Mitch and Sam, we know these men will set the standard in 2023.”
Taken with Pick 56 in the 2013 national draft, Sicily has now chalked up 115 games across nine seasons.
He held the interim captaincy for periods throughout the 2022 season after Ben McEvoy was sidelined with a neck injury.
Spending 18 months on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in 2020, Sicily remarkably elevated his game to another level upon his return in 2022 and was deservedly awarded the Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn’s best and fairest player.
After news of his appointment was announced to the playing group on Friday, Sicily said he was thrilled at the prospect of captaining the club.
“I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to lead this team,” Sicily said.
“It’s an enormous responsibility but I’m ready for the challenge and can’t wait to lead this group of players.
“To be backed by the players and the club, it’s a really special feeling.
“This club has invested so much effort, love and time into me as a person first and foremost to the point where I feel very comfortable with the opportunity to lead this club, and I feel so supported in the role by teammates, coaches, family and friends.
“The entire playing group is intent on taking our game to another level in 2023, and this has been reflected in the energy and intensity on the training track so far this pre-season so I can’t wait to get started in a month’s time.”
Hawthorn will kick off its 2023 campaign against traditional rivals Essendon on Sunday 19 March at the MCG.
