A POOR outing against Geelong in round one has Hawthorn forward James Sicily determined for redemption in Friday night's qualifying final.

Sicily had been in competition with Tim O'Brien to replace Jarryd Roughead for a spot in the forward line, but by his own admission, the 21-year-old disappointed against the Cats that day.

He had five disposals and didn't kick a goal in the Hawks' 30-point loss in the only time the rivals have clashed this season.

The forward was backed in by his coach Alastair Clarkson and responded the next week with four goals against West Coast, before booting three in the final term the following week versus the Western Bulldogs, including the match-winner.

Sicily's meagre output in round one has him motivated.

"You don't want it (poor performance) to happen again, so it drives you. I'll definitely be preparing to the best of my ability and having a look at the oppo (Geelong)," Sicily told AFL.com.au.

"I definitely don't want to put in a performance like round one."

He admitted to having felt the glare of the Easter Monday clash.

Almost 75,000 were in attendance that day, with Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield playing his first match since being traded from Adelaide.

"I think it was just the big stage. I probably wasn't as confident as I am coming into the latter part of the year," Sicily said.

"(I wondered) whether I belonged in the side (and) whether I was capable of playing at the level."

"I played with a little bit of doubt and second-guessed myself."

He was taken with pick No. 56 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and lined up in three games before this season.

Sicily has since cemented his spot, having missed only one game, through suspension.

"(That) gives me confidence that I can perform at the level," he said.

Sicily has proven he performs well when the stakes are at their highest, and is confident that trait should see him suited to September football.

"I like it when the game's on edge and there's a lot of pressure. I come out of my shell," he said.

He will play a part in the next chapter of the rivalry Hawthorn and Geelong share.

After the Hawks upset the Cats to win the 2008 premiership, Clarkson's men lost the next 11 clashes between the two sides.

Sicily has been made aware of what it means to come up against Geelong.

"The older guys speak about it – (we) hate losing to the Cats, which will make this game on Friday on edge and pretty hostile," he said.