HAWTHORN has suffered a significant blow ahead of Friday night's qualifying final against Geelong with marking forward James Sicily a late withdrawal due to illness.

The 21-year-old trained with the team yesterday and didn't seem to be in any obvious discomfort.

Sicily was replaced in the Hawks' 22 by Daniel Howe while Geelong will take an unchanged team into the game.

Sicily has been a revelation this season in the absence of ill spearhead Jarryd Roughead, kicking 29 goals in 21 games.

Jack Gunston will now wear even more responsibility as the Hawks' main aerial target in attack.

Howe played his last senior game in round 16 against Port Adelaide, when he had 17 disposals and five tackles.

More to come.