Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has leapt to the defence of captain James Sicily, and the suggestion that a troublesome groin is playing a role in his form.
Sicily's kicking and decision-making have been a rolling narrative for large parts of 2025, with his numbers reaching an eight-year low.
As it stands, the Hawks skipper is kicking at a 70.4 per cent efficiency rating, which has generally been around the 80 per cent mark for most of the past decade.
The weekend's clash against Brisbane yielded a maximum retention rate, kicking at 100 per cent from nine opportunities.
However, it is Sicily's defensive output that is pleasing Mitchell the most, while his ball use is not a "concern", nor is the supposed injury speculation.
"No, the groin's not an issue," Mitchell said.
"He's working really hard on his game. I thought he played really well last week. The thing about Sic is, he's led us really well. His leadership has been really strong through the tougher periods, in particular.
"Has he played perfect footy this year? Of course not, no one has. But I thought he improved significantly last week.
"I think the progress he's made, which doesn't get the accolades on the outside, is, he's defended really well.
"He's become a very reliable player on top of being the superstar."
Sicily and the Hawks come up against a red-hot Collingwood outfit on Friday night, and will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak.
Traditionally, the brown and gold have matched up well against the Pies, winning two of their past three encounters, whilst also going down by single-digit margins in 2022 and 2024.
A big reason for those victories was the performance, or lack thereof, from Collingwood gun Nick Daicos, who is deemed untaggable.
Across his glittering career to date, Daicos averages 30 disposals or more against eight sides, while three other clubs sit just under.
Against Hawthorn, the father-son star, in four clashes, has a mean of 22.75 possessions, largely due to injury, and the tagging from Finn Magginness.
Daicos is in firing form following a 38-disposal match-winning effort against North Melbourne last week, with Mitchell acknowledging his influence.
However, the Hawks coach kept his cards close to his chest regarding his thoughts on a run-with player.
"We'll give him attention, certainly," Mitchell said.
"But will we do everything in our power to shut him down? That's to be determined, because if you do that, you obviously give up something else.
"Otherwise, everyone would do it every week. We have had trouble trying to shut him down before."
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