Emerging Hawthorn defender James Sicily says that controlling his temper and directing his on-field aggression are two areas that he has focused on over the off-season.

The 23-year-old’s fiery onfield persona has won him a legion of fans, but has also drawn criticism – especially after being involved in a heated verbal stoush with teammate Taylor Duryea against Fremantle in Perth last season.

“I just get a little bit of white-line fever that splits me apart from ‘normal’ James,” he told SEN Breakfast.

“I probably need to control it a bit better in regards to that Fremantle game when I kind of went off my rocket a little bit.

“It’s something that I need to manage and direct it in the right way. Sometimes I might step out of line but it’s how quickly I can get back onto the job (that matters).”

The Melton product’s move from attack to defence last year was one of the bright spots in what was an otherwise disappointing season for the Hawks, and Sicily believes that the new roles plays to his strengths.

“I think I’ve found me niche there in the backline. We’ve got a good bunch of lads down there that we all love playing with each other,” he said.

“I find it a bit easier than playing in the forward line. Obviously you’ve got a bloke trying to stop you all day which can make it a bit hard for you.

“The forwards these days don’t really want to defend the backman, they just want to get the footy and kick goals, so it makes it a little bit easier and I just find that I read the game a little bit better as a backman and I’m enjoying it.”

Sicily has inherited four-time premiership player and two-time Hawthorn best and fairest, Josh Gibson’s No.6 guernsey – a move he says was instigated by coach Alastair Clarkson.

“Clarko just wanted me to change. He wanted me to take over the reins from Gibbo and I just jumped at it.

“I’m not too fussed about numbers to be honest.

“…I’m not going to take over the Hollywood hoo-ha look at me Gibson-type attitude, I’ll just try to go about my business quietly,” he joked.

Hawthorn takes on Essendon and St Kilda in its two AFLX hitouts at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Listen to James Sicily chat to Garry and Tim on SEN Breakfast below!