Hawthorn's James Sicily admits he needs to get undisciplined acts out of his game after receiving a one week suspension for standing on the ankle of North Melbourne defender Shaun Atley after pleading guilty to serious misconduct at the AFL tribunal.
He will miss the round six game against St Kilda, frustrating the Hawks who are looking to bounce back after their unexpected loss to North Melbourne last Sunday.
"I'm disappointed in myself. It's something that I need to get out of my game. I will definitely learn from this," Sicily said.
Sicily decided to plead guilty to the charge of serious misconduct during discussions between his advocate Peter O'Farrell and the AFL's legal counsel Jeff Gleeson before the hearing began with Gleeson recommending a one week penalty.
Gleeson argued that Sicily's action during the second quarter of the game at Etihad Stadium was calculated as the player looked towards the umpire to see whether he was looking before standing on the back of Atley's leg who was lying on the ground.
However given that Sicily accepted the fact his conduct was not appropriate and that there was no injury to Atley which Gleeson described as more "good luck than good management" the AFL counsel recommended a one match suspension.
It is the second time Sicily has been suspended in the first five rounds as he was suspended after round two for dropping his knee on Geelong's Joel Selwood near the end of the Easter Monday clash.
O'Farrell said Sicily accepted the fact the act was undisciplined and was remorseful.
He also told the tribunal that Sicily's coach Alastair Clarkson had admonished him for the act and therefore some leniency should be applied.
Sicily said Clarkson still "had his back" but was obviously frustrated that he was being reported and missing games.
More to come
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