Hawthorn co-captains Jai Newcombe and James Sicily are firming to take on Fremantle after getting through their side’s captain’s run at Optus Stadium.
The pair were limited during the Hawks’ main training session on Tuesday, with Sicily battling an ankle issue and Newcombe dealing with general soreness. However, after flying into Perth on Tuesday night and minutes after being named in their side for the second-against-third clash with the Dockers on Wednesday afternoon, the stars both participated in a light session.
Of the pair, Newcombe looked to exert himself more during the half-hour training, running through some sprints and joining his fellow midfielders for some centre clearance drills. Sicily was the first player out of the race, sharing a chat with his predecessor Luke Hodge before joining the rest of his teammates. He did not join up with a group of defenders including Tom Barrass as they went through some marking work, instead accompanying the Hawks’ forwards as they took shots on goal.
Hawthorn’s midfield coach David Mackay said both Newcombe and Sicily were “fine” and would play. “They’ve had really good weeks where we’ve been able to manage them a little bit and get them to the start line tomorrow 100 per cent ready to go, which is great for the team,” he said. “Those guys probably did a little bit less this week, but it’s part of the season now, where you’ve got to do that with some of your players. They’ll arrive tomorrow night ready to go.”
Interestingly, all three of Hawthorn’s emergencies — fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite and untried pair Matt Hill and Cam Nairn — made the trip to Perth. But the club’s reserves the Box Hill Hawks have a bye in the VFL at the weekend, meaning they are not being deprived of a chance to play in a game by heading west.
Hodge was one of several past Hawthorn players to make their way to the session, with the group including Chance Bateman — who has worked for West Coast since 2018 — and Xavier Ellis.
