James Sicily capped a fine season, returning from a serious knee injury, to be crowned Hawthorn’s Peter Crimmins medallist on Saturday night.
The athletic defender enjoyed his maiden best and fairest, finishing on the podium for the first time, and enhancing his prospects to be the new captain.
He polled votes in all but three of his 22 games, finishing with 123 and edging midfielder Jai Newcombe (115) and Dylan Moore (113) for the top award.
Hawthorn defender James Sicily has claimed his maiden Peter Crimmins medal.Credit:Getty Images
Sicily, 27, had missed 18 months, including the 2021 campaign, after undergoing a knee reconstruction, but did not miss a beat this season when he re-emerged as one of the league’s best defenders.
He averaged a competition-high 8.6 marks, 8.5 intercept possessions (equal third in the league) and 8.1 rebound 50s (first in the league). He ranked third for average metres gained (590.18), coming in a year when he had a spell as caretaker captain when Ben McEvoy was hurt.
Assistant coach Chris Newman recently said Sicily had been “influential from the get-go”.
“He was a really consistent performer across the course of the season and was one of four Hawks to play every game. He averaged a career-high 24 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency which is very impressive. He finished first in the league for marks and second for intercept possessions while playing on some of the oppositions’ best key forwards,” Newman said.
“Aside from his on-field output, ‘Sis’ was also an exceptional leader for us this year, taking on the captaincy duties while McEvoy was out for injury.”
Newcombe, 21, enjoyed a career-best season in which he averaged 22.5 touches in 22 games. Last month, he was named as the AFL Coaches Association’s best young player, and polled more Brownlow votes than any other Hawk.
Moore, 23, finished on the podium for the first time, averaging 20.2 disposals, 5.6 marks and 4.2 tackles in 22 games. He also booted 26 goals, highlighting his value inside attacking 50.
Defender Blake Hardwick (82) and midfielder Tom Mitchell (79), the latter weighing up his future at the club, rounded out the top five.
Newcombe was also awarded the Lethal award, Mitch Lewis took out most improved, while Hardwick was deemed most courageous. Ned Reeves, amid an injury-impacted season, was deemed the most promising player, while Moore was judged the best clubman.
The Hawks farewelled three-time premiership star Jack Gunston, who will join the Brisbane Lions as a free agent.
2022 Peter Crimmins Medal Top 10
1. James Sicily (123)
2. Jai Newcombe (115)
3. Dylan Moore (113)
4. Blake Hardwick (82)
5. Tom Mitchell (79)
6. Mitch Lewis (74)
7. Jaeger O’Meara (65)
8. Finn Maginness (61)
9. Harry Morrison (59)
9. Jack Scrimshaw (59)
11. Jack Gunston (56)
