KICKING the match-winning goal against Western Bulldogs was an important moment in James Sicily’s career – and a ‘great story’ for the Hawks, according to Sam Mitchell.
 
The 21-year-old forward kicked three final quarter goals – including the goal which put the Hawks in front with less than two minutes to play – to play a key role in the win.
 
Mitchell said it was no doubt a confidence booster for Sicily.
 
“It’s a great story, clearly, for us,” the veteran Hawk told media at the Ricoh Centre today.
 
“I didn’t know at the time, but (it was) a little bit of melancholy when you find out about Bob Murphy… but being near someone like that at that moment in their career, it’s an important moment for him and his belief for his career.
 
“I was actually pretty happy that I was quite close to Ben Stratton as well, they’re probably the two guys that had the most significant impact on the game from our point of view, I thought.”
 
Execution was no issue for Sicily in the clutch situation.
 
“I talked to him after the game, he’s been in that situation I think four times over his footy career – not AFL level obviously,” Mitchell said.
 
“So he’s been in that situation before, he knew what to do and he just went back and executed it. He handled the situation pretty well.”
 
Sicily has kicked seven goals in his past two matches to burst onto the AFL scene.
 
Mitchell says it’s important the six-game forward keeps his feet on the ground – and is confident that’s exactly what Sicily will do.
 
“He always walks around a little bit like that (with confidence),” he said.
 
“I think that’s where footy clubs are really great places, as soon as you get one foot further in front of yourself than where you should be, footy clubs are a pretty good place to bring you back down to earth."