Hawthorn captain James Sicily is free to play Melbourne in Round 2 after having his kicking charge downgraded at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday afternoon.
Sicily and the Hawks had taken a one-week ban to tribunal with the belief the incident involving Essendon’s Andy McGrath on Saturday didn’t warrant a suspendable action.
The kick, which came after Sicily upended the 25-year-old, was graded intentional conduct, medium impact and body contact, triggering a one-week suspension.
Hawthorn successful argued the impact should instead be graded as low, earning Sicily a reprieve in the form of a fine.
McGrath wasn’t permitted to provide evidence in the case. However, speaking to SEN on Monday, the Bombers vice-captain gave an indication of the impact.
“It was pretty innocuous. I think a few of us got into him (Sicily) a little bit after (Matt) Guelfi kicked the first goal on him, it was just one of those heat of the moment things,” McGrath said on SEN Breakfast.
James Sicily has been handed a one-match suspension for this incident with Andrew McGrath.
— AFL (@AFL) March 17, 2024
Full Saturday MRO findings: https://t.co/FIWEwBwozj pic.twitter.com/rfWYJnWotJ
“I didn’t even really realise that he put his foot into the back of me, which sort of suggests how severe the kick was. Not very at all.
“But I guess they’re stamping that out of the game and we’ll see where that lands.
“After every incident our club doctor calls us to see if there are any medical ramifications or any soreness, my report to him was that there’s nothing, I’ve got no bruise, no nothing.
“Hopefully that stands up in the appeal if there is one.”
The Hawks skipper was physically targeted by Essendon in the Round 1 four-goal loss and finished with just 11 touches and two marks.
With Hawthorn already missing several players in its best 22, Sicily’s availability comes at an important time and against an opponent fresh off pummeling the Western Bulldogs.
Hawthorn and Melbourne clash from 4:35pm AEDT at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.