Kane Mitchell's AFL dream still alive

Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Mitchell may have been delisted but he refuses to give up on playing AFL footy again.

The club has promised to pick him as rookie in the rookie draft on November 27, so there is still hope.

Mitchell has played 31 games after being picked up in the 2013 rookie draft at pick five. Known for his elite pace and endurance, he came on the senior list and made a Round 1 debut against Melbourne as the substitute.

His main issue in the AFL, however, is his kicking skills, which sees him repeatedly turnover the footy.

“Skills is always the number one thing for me… I’ve got to try and hit 70-80 per cent of my kicks,” he said in a recent press conference.

With the new addition of Jimmy Toumpas it was always going to be hard for Mitchell to keep his spot as both players have similar strengths. Karl Amon and Brendon Ah Chee have arguably taken Mitchell’s spot now, making it even harder.

Standing at 174 centimetres, Mitchell is never going to threaten with height so he must use his pace to his advantage. He won the recent three-kilometre time trial as Port Adelaide’s youth pre-season begins. (Mitchell has the AFL’s permission to train with Port Adelaide despite him not being part of the list.)

“I know you have to work just as hard on the rookie list as you do on the main list so it doesn’t change too much for me,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell will always put in 110per cent on the field, it’s just a matter of polishing off his game. This will not be the last time we see the 2012 Sandover Medallist wearing the Power guernsey.