Hawthorn captain James Sicily has tempered expectations regarding West Coast star Tom Barrass’ potential move to the Hawks, stating there’s still “a lot of water to go under the bridge” before any deal is finalized. Barrass, who formally requested a trade to Hawthorn during his exit meeting, has sparked excitement among the Hawks, with the club prepared to involve its first-round pick to secure the 28-year-old defender.
Sicily expressed his enthusiasm over Barrass’ interest in joining Hawthorn, acknowledging the appeal the club now holds for rival players. “It’s exciting that players are seeing Hawthorn as a place they want to be,” Sicily said. However, he also emphasized that much remains to be sorted out before Barrass could join their defense.
West Coast football boss Gavin Bell acknowledged Barrass’ request but stressed the club’s need to secure fair compensation, given Barrass is contracted for another three years. “While the club respects Tom’s request, he is contracted for another three years and our vice-captain. We will endeavour to meet Tom’s request while protecting the best interests of the West Coast Eagles,” Bell stated.
When asked about the potential acquisition of St Kilda free agent Josh Battle, who is also linked to Hawthorn, Sicily was cryptic, noting his mutual friendships with Battle but leaving the speculation open-ended.
The Hawks are anticipating a busy trade and free agency period following a successful finals campaign, which Sicily admits came earlier than expected. He reflected on the season’s turning point after a gritty round 13 win against GWS, which boosted their belief in their finals potential.
Despite the excitement, the Hawks face injury concerns, with star player Will Day racing against time to recover from an SC joint injury before their upcoming elimination final against the Western Bulldogs. Sicily noted that Day is currently on a modified training program, focusing on mobility and pain management.