Dogs take aim at James Sicily – but have the umps targeted him too?
Hawthorn’s firebrand defender James Sicily has been targeted by the Western Bulldogs – and despite his reputation, fans reckon he’s been hard done by.
Sicily gave away a 50-metre penalty with just under seven minutes left on the clock in the first quarter, allowing Billy Gowers to kick the Dogs ahead by 13 points.
But after replays showed Jason Biggs ran into Sicily, who was to be the man on the mark, and effectively forced them both to ground, commentators and viewers weren’t so sure the Hawks man was all that guilty.
“Biggs has gone at him … I think you maybe just tell both players to settle down there,” Matthew Richardson said on Channel 7.
Whether it was rotations or for a quiet word with the coaches, Sicily was dragged to the bench after the incident.
“(The Dogs have) picked their man, haven’t they?” said Bruce McAvaney, who also thought a quick warning by the umpires would have been enough.
Fans agreed:
50 against Sicily cause it was Sicily. #AFLDogsHawks
— Russell McManus (@russelljm88) July 7, 2018
Don't like Sicily as much as the next bloke but why on earth is that a 50m penalty?? Bloke ran into him on the mark? Fair dinkum. #AFLDogsHawks @7AFL
— Thomas Spielvogel (@greenlabel07) July 7, 2018
When did this roughing up a player for a mark being taken on them start? Understand because that was Sicily but it happens all the time now
— Corey Crimmins (@Crimdog44) July 7, 2018
That’s not a 50 against Sicily. He’s on the mark. Biggs goes at him and the fall to the ground. Just tell the players to get up. Umpires know Sicily has priors and penalises him because of that. Wrong call! #AFLDogsHawks
— MR_005 (@Ralph_005) July 7, 2018
Mmm, Biggs goes at Sicily who is standing on the mark. Biggs out of order, poor 50m paid against Sicily #AFLDogsHawks
— Craig Morrison (@craigmorro47) July 7, 2018
How's that 50 against Sicily, the Bulldogs bloke went at him. #AFLDogsHawks
— Jarrod Reynolds (@Jagga81) July 7, 2018
Don't like Sicily as much as the next bloke but why on earth is that a 50m penalty?? Bloke ran into him on the mark? Fair dinkum. #AFLDogsHawks @7AFL
— Thomas Spielvogel (@greenlabel07) July 7, 2018
#AFLDogsHawks yeah he’s a pest but that call was harsh on Sicily
— ❤️ᖇᎯᏣᏂᏋllᏋ🖤 (@Bombergrl2000) July 7, 2018
Biggs came at Sicily there. Rubbish
— Proud Passionate (@ProudPassionate) July 7, 2018
