‘Won’t take risk’: Hawk blow as skipper sidelined

Hawthorn captain James Sicily will miss at least one and possibly two games as the Hawks attempt to stabilise his shoulder after the All-Australian dislocated it in last’s week win over the Western Bulldogs.

Coach Sam Mitchell revealed on Thursday there was a high risk of it “coming out again” if he lined up against St Kilda in Launceston. Instead, he said Sicily, who wasn’t able to train, would be treated with caution over the coming days.

Sicily returned to the field after his shoulder was put back in place to kick a crucial late goal at Marvel Stadium but Mitchell said it needed more rest to fully stabilise again.

“We won’t take the risk with him,” Mitchell said.

“When you have a player of that calibre you’ve got to be really careful with how you manage it.

“My limited medical knowledge of it is the longer we wait the more stable the shoulder will be and the risk of it coming out again this week will be too high. The guys think that’s not a risk worth taking this week.

“Every day that his shoulder can tighten up and get a little bit stronger will protect him. Hopefully, he will be OK for next week.”

Veteran small forward Luke Breust is set to play his first game since Easter Monday after missing the past five matches due to a lingering groin injury, with the club’s pre-season signing Ethan Phillips being considered for a debut after joining Hawthorn as a 24-year-old in February.

“Ethan’s form has been really good. He had a few technical things to work out. He gave away some free kicks at the lower level that you don’t get away with at the AFL level. He has worked really hard at his craft,” Mitchell said.

“We’re tossing up between him and Jai Serong, who has been really consistent at VFL level. He got some opportunity earlier in the season, but he didn’t get a heap of opportunity. We subbed him out early in one of the games.”