Enjoying his footy more than ever, Hawthorn captain James Sicily insists his young, excitable teammates can "flick the switch" when needed.
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After starting the season 0-5, Hawthorn have become the showtime Hawks as the likes of Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson have thrived on the big stage to give them a shock chance of playing finals for the first time since 2018.
Their performances have been matching the bold celebrations and trash talk that reached a frenzied level during Hawthorn's stunning 66-point demolition of reigning premiers Collingwood last Saturday.
Ginnivan, a Magpies premiership player last September, incensed his former club's supporters after playing the best game of his career and then celebrating accordingly.
The 21-year-old kissed his Hawthorn jumper after kicking a goal, made a "goodnight" gesture to the camera, and then walked over to Collingwood's cheer squad and celebrated right in front of them.
"A lot of these young guys feel really comfortable expressing themselves and being who they want to be in our environment, and that's something we are really proud of," Sicily said on Tuesday.
"We also know that when it's time to work, we actually work.
"A lot of the young guys have a really strong work ethic and are able to flick the switch when it's time to be really serious, but when it's time to have joy and fun, particularly on offence, you want to express yourself and play with freedom.
"We do have the balance with that and that's something that we need to continue to work on."
Sicily, who has been managing a persistent shoulder injury, is enjoying being a leader in a team full of exciting young talent.
"Probably not, to be honest," said Sicily when asked if he had ever enjoyed his footy more.
""Maybe I was a little bit younger cracking into the team when the guys were on a roll (in 2015 when Hawthorn won a third-straight premiership).
"It's pretty fun to be amongst it at the moment, playing a brand of footy that we're happy with."
Teenage excitement machine Watson was nominated for the Rising Star award after slotting a career-high three goals against Collingwood.
Watson has become a member of Hawthorn's self-described "mosquito fleet" with Ginnivan.
"I know Jack was loving it, especially against his old mob," Watson said on Tuesday.
"It was a bit of fun but, as (Sicily) said we have our fun, but then we can put our heads down and get to work."
Hawthorn have won seven of their past eight games, and 10 of their past 13, to be on the verge of an unlikely September appearance.
After winning the 2015 flag, the Hawks' most recent finals appearances - 2016 and 2018 - ended in straight-sets exits.
"We don't want to be the team that just limps into finals," Sicily said.
"The opportunity of playing (in finals) is really good, but the understanding is we have heaps of work to do."
Australian Associated Press
