AFL: Hawthorn defender James Sicily reveals the big change in coach Sam Mitchell since he retired as a player

Star Hawk James Sicily says rookie coach Sam Mitchell has dramatically evolved since his playing days and now preaches “love and connection” at Waverley Park.

Sicily spent his first three seasons as Mitchell’s teammate, so is qualified to comment on how the champion Hawk has changed since entering the coaches’ box.

Mitchell was famous for his suffer-no-fools style and was never afraid to ruffle feathers if he felt it was necessary, but Hawthorn insiders noticed changes in him towards the end of his playing career.

After a brief coaching apprenticeship at West Coast then the Hawks, Mitchell has the unenviable task of succeeding four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.

But Sicily, who will play his first AFL game in 19 months in round 1 against North Melbourne after a lengthy recovery from an ACL setback, is relishing life under Mitchell and his “vision”.

“It has been quite refreshing as an older player,” Sicily told Triple M.

“I had ‘Clarko’ (former coach Alastair Clarkson) for nine years and some of the other guys still at the club had him for longer.

“It has been fun to learn a new game style again and some different ways of thinking under Sam.

“He’s definitely not the same as what he was as a player – he’s all about love and connection.”

Hawthorn opted to delay Sicily’s return to give him longer to recover and he escaped the football bubble for an extended period before getting involved in some recruiting and list management.

After an incident free pre-season, including playing games, the defender is ready to make his official return on Sunday week.

“I feel relatively fit,” Sicily said.

“I did my own little pre-season (last year) while the guys were playing, then had an uninterrupted pre-season – I feel good.”