Hawks' Sicily looms as big threat for wounded Magpies

The Advertiser

2 days ago

James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."