Hawthorn captain James Sicily went from being a liability to a match-winner as the Hawks came from behind to post a thrilling 13-point AFL win over Fremantle in Launceston.
Sicily, on his return from his second dislocated shoulder of the season, struggled physically in defence during the first half of Saturday's match and seemed reluctant to lay tackles at times.
But his switch into attack with his team trailing by 15 points in the third term proved a masterstroke, with the key defender kicking three crucial goals to lift his side to a 13.9 (87) to 10.14 (74) victory.
"I wasn't doing much down back, I was probably a liability," Sicily said after the game.
"I'm rapt the coach made the move. It was just one of those days when you get on the end of a few."
The result improved Hawthorn's record to 9-8 and put them within percentage of eighth spot.
Fremantle (10-6-1) started the round in third, but could drop as low as seventh depending on other results.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir rued his team's inaccuracy and inability to stop Sicily.
"They just finished their work off, and he (Sicily) was a big part of that," Longmuir said.
"He won some critical contests and kicked his goals. Unfortunately in the second half we were inaccurate."
Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek, who played 15 games for Freo before seeking a move away for more opportunities, was huge with 51 hitouts and 15 disposals.
His opponent Luke Jackson finished with 31 hitouts, 20 disposals and a goal for the Dockers.
The first half was a bruising tackle-fest as both sides went full throttle at each other.
The Hawks trailed by 10 points midway through the second quarter before unleashing a four-goal burst inspired by 18-year-old forward Calsher Dear, who kicked two of the majors.
Hawthorn utility Massimo D'Ambrosio was subbed out during the long break after rolling his ankle in the second quarter.
Alarm bells were ringing for the Hawks early in the third term as Patrick Voss, Jye Amiss, Michael Frederick and Caleb Serong all unleashed unsuccessful shots on goal.
Jackson took a pack mark close to goal to finally end Fremantle's run of misses, and when Jeremy Sharp followed up with a 50m bomb, the margin was 15 points.
Sicily was sent forward late in the third term, and it paid instant dividends when he took a diving mark and kicked the goal.
Fremantle led by nine points at three-quarter time, and still held a three-point edge with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth.
Sicily snatched back the lead for Hawthorn with a soccered goal.
And when he took a huge mark near the goal line before snapping truly with less than four minutes to go, it gave the Hawks the breathing space they needed to secure victory.
"He probably wasn't competing quite as well behind the ball, he wasn't having a significant influence," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said of Sicily.
"And when you have a player of his calibre who is not as dominant as you would like, we have the scope to move him.
"He's got an appetite to be in those positions, and I was rapt he was able to hit the scoreboard and have a good impact for us in front of the ball."
