James Sicily produced another defensive masterclass on Saturday, earning his third MVP for the year following his side's huge win against Collingwood.

The captain was instrumental in what was a thrilling contest as Hawthorn pulled off an upset to remember over the premiership favourites in a 32-point win in front of 62,134 fans at the MCG.

Sicily set the tone from the first bounce, notching up 22 disposals, 10 marks, 324 metres gained and six intercept possessions in the opening half. 

He went on to take a whopping career-high 19 marks and enjoy 10 intercept possessions, 37 disposals and 515 metres gained to prove himself a rock down back yet again.

Speaking post-game coach Sam Michell labelled Sicily's performance as "phenomenal".

"Sis just controlled the back half of the ground completely. His whole year has been like that, it's just more people saw it today," Mitchell said.

"There are so many good key defenders in the competition, but the the thing that makes Sis the best of them in my view, is that he is a defensive juggernaut, but he's also an offensive threat."

Hear more from the captain post-win.