The inside story behind James Sicily’s match-winning positional change

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell’s decision to use captain James Sicily as a forward for the final quarter against Western Bulldogs is being lauded as the coaching move which saw the Hawks taste victory.

Sicily – who was banged up after separate shoulder and ankle injuries during the game – kicked a goal and was hugely influential in the fourth quarter.

Matthew Lloyd revealed the conversation between Mitchell and his captain which prompted the strategic shift.

Click PLAY to hear the inside story from Matthew Lloyd on 3AW 

“Yesterday at three quarter time Sam Mitchell walks up to him and says ‘how’s your shoulder’ and he says ‘I feel like I’ve left you down in defence,” Lloyd said on Wide World of Sports.

“(Sicily asked Mitchell)  whether Blake Hardwick goes back and I go forward.”

Image: Quinn Rooney/Getty