Hawthorn vice-captain Isaac Smith has described the loss of James Sicily to injury as a ‘big blow’ but says it will provide the side with an important opportunity.

Sicily, who’s averaged close to 24 disposals a game in 2018 and leads the Hawks for marks, is expected to miss at least six weeks after suffering a broken scaphoid in Saturday’s loss to Brisbane, with his absence set to provide a considerable opportunity for another Hawk to establish themselves in defence.

“It’s going to be a fairly big blow,” Smith told RSN on Wednesday morning.

“He’s probably been (one of the) top two or three defenders in the competition this year probably.

“His ability to intercept mark and then set us up with rebound (down) there’s been pretty important.

“So hopefully a young guy comes in and really takes his opportunity.”

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The triple-premiership player also said the Hawks’ history of using the loss of personnel to their advantage in recent years would hold them in good stead as they look to cover the loss of Sicily and qualify for this season’s final series.

Smith pointed in particular to the side’s improvement that came on the back of losing star forward Lance Franklin at the end of 2013.

“If you go back and look at my time at Hawthorn, when we lost Lance Franklin we possibly became a better side and he’s the best player I’ve ever played with and the best player in the competition probably,” Smith said.

“So you always find something out about yourself when one of your best players goes down or leaves, so as I said it’s a great opportunity with someone else to come in.”