Star Hawthorn defender James Sicily will take the reins at Waverley Park in 2023 after the club announced its new-look leadership group for this season.
The 28-year-old was named captain after he filled the post in Ben McEvoy’s absence at times last season, with two deputies named among a refreshed six-man group.
Small forwards Dylan Moore and Luke Breust will be co-vice-captains, while Sam Frost, Jarman Impey and Mitch Lewis will also hold leadership roles for the first time at the club.
Hawthorn did not name a leadership group in 2022, with McEvoy appointed captain and Sicily and traded midfielder Jaeger O’Meara acting as skipper when the Hawks ruckman was sidelined with a neck injury.
Hawthorn said it would call its leadership group “Moorditj Kuda”, which translates as “solid mates” in Noongar language.
Hawks chief executive Justin Reeves said the club was “delighted” to welcome Sicily as its 38th appointed captain.
“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,” Reeves said.
“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.”
Sicily won the Peter Crimmins Medal as the club’s best and fairest player in 2022 as he led the club’s raw defensive group at centre half-back.
“To be backed by the players and the club, it’s a really special feeling,” Sicily said,
“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.”
