James Sicily in the forward line.
It has been before. He started there when he first got drafted.
So it's no shock that when Hawthorn needed something on Saturday against Fremantle Sicily was swung forward.
Three second-half goals. And the difference.
The 2023 All-Australian was moved to the front half following a dour performance in the opening two quarters, putting aside a troublesome shoulder that appeared sore.
Sicily returned to the side following a dislocation in the Round 16 win against West Coast.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell - who is quickly becoming one of the elite minds of the competition - explained what inspired the game-winning move.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Goals
"I think as coaches we're always looking to maximise the talents of our players and I thought he probably wasn't competing quite as well behind the ball. He wasn't having a significant influence," Mitchell said.
"When you have a player of his calibre who is not as dominant as you would like, we obviously have the scope to move him and he's got just an appetite to be in those positions.
"I was rapt he was able to hit the scoreboard and have a good impact for us in front of the ball."
Hawthorn secured its ninth win of the season and is in genuine reach of September, despite starting the year 0-5.
Sitting just outside the top eight on percentage, Mitchell and his men set up a mouth-watering clash against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday, with the loser likely to miss finals.
"If we looked at the season, obviously started slowly, had some good form, got to the bye, we played West Coast over there and played pretty well, then we go to Geelong and get a touch-up," Mitchell said.
"This game was in the calendar because this was an important game for us because it keeps us right in the hunt.
"If you look at the ladder it's pretty close and now it doesn't get any bigger than it's going to be next week."
