Sam Mitchell is pleased to speak up his younger group’s possibilities forward of Hawthorn’s almighty AFL problem in opposition to Port Adelaide.
While the Hawks are coming off a formidable upset win over St Kilda, they’ll begin at lengthy odds on Saturday at Adelaide Oval in opposition to a Power facet that has rocketed into premiership conversations by profitable eight in a row.
Hawthorn skipper James Sicily performed a whole sport in defence in opposition to the Saints however will miss out due to a one-game suspension for prime contact.
Despite all that, Mitchell is wanting ahead to the conflict.
“I would buy a ticket to this game. It’s going to be quite exciting,” he stated.
“They’ve got a very young and enthusiastic and highly touted midfield, and our midfield has really come along this year … I hope we can perform well.”
The Hawks belted injury-ravaged West Coast earlier than the St Kilda boilover and Mitchell spoke of his rebuilding group’s development and work ethic.
On-field management is one other space the place Mitchell sees encouraging progress and Luke Breust will probably be appearing captain in Sicily’s absence.
It’s understood to be the primary time the three-time premiership ahead will captain the group in his 270-game AFL profession.
“I had a really good conversation today with James Sicily, Dylan Moore and Luke Breust around leadership for this weekend,” he stated.
“We’re going to have a new captain and how are we going to handle this? How do we want to do it?
“Just listening to them speak … I used to be so pleased with the dialog they’d, their openness and the way they considered what the group wants.
“They’ve led really well on the field … and it’s going to be important to have that player leadership this weekend.”
Clearly, Sicily can’t be changed – however Mitchell is assured Hawthorn’s defence can re-adjust.
He additionally joked that his captain was being a ache after his best-afield efficiency and will do with the enforced break.
“We have five players on the (white) board we could potentially replace him with, whether it’s a like-for-like type, whether we move someone else’s role or whether we change the mix of the team and play a little bit smaller, for example,” Mitchell stated.
“Losing Sic after his game last week isn’t ideal – and he’s been head-wobbling a little bit too long for us this week.
“But he is main properly and ensuring we’re well-prepared to play with out him.”
Sicily has a reputation as a hothead but Mitchell said the player’s latest ban was more a case of the AFL’s crackdown on high contact.
“James’ suspensions some time in the past have been undisciplined – now it is typically improper place, improper time and also you get issues just a little bit improper instantly,” he stated.
“We’ll be OK again there with out James however it is going to be an excellent problem with out him – they’ll have to select up the slack.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
