There’s been yet another shocking development in the AFL trade period, with Hawthorn superstar Sam Mitchell looking likely to join the West Coast Eagles next season.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who has won four premierships with the Hawks, said the move was the brainchild of coach Alastair Clarkson.
“I didn’t go to the club and say I want to go to West Coast,” Mitchell said.
“Clarko came over and said, as a friend, ‘Is that something you’d be interested in?’
“And you could have knocked me over with a feather, to be honest.”
In the weeks following the suggestion, Mitchell and wife Lyndall have discussed the move, and decided it could suit them.
It has been reported that Mitchell would sign a one-year deal with West Coast, with a coaching role included for post-2017.
Mitchell did sign a one-year contract to play for the Hawks in 2017, but said the move west could benefit Hawthorn.
Moving the 2016 best-and-fairest winner – Mitchell’s fifth such award with the club – would free up plenty of salary cap for the Hawks to pursue their current trade targets, Sydney’s Tom Mitchell and Gold Coast’s Jaeger O’Meara. Hawthorn have already secured the services of forward/ruckman Ty Vickery from Richmond on a two-year deal.
“There’s been some talk about this for two weeks, so the amount of people who have known about it with the behind the scenes going on at the club shows the respect between the two clubs,” Mitchell said.
“If this goes through, because there’s no certainty it will, we look at it as a win for Hawthorn, because it frees up salary cap space.
“And then hopefully I can go over and help West Coast.”
Should the deal go through, there is a good chance the Eagles would boast a midfield with two Brownlow medallists.
Current West Coast star Matt Priddis took the award home in 2014, while Mitchell is a chance to be awarded the 2012 medal following the news that the ‘Essendon 34’s’ appeal to Swiss Federal Tribunal was dismissed, casting doubt over whether Jobe Watson will be allowed to keep the award.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The Brownlow? He's a blonde midfielder, that's got to be worth around 10 votes just for starters.
Penster
Guest
Mitchell turned 34 yesterday, and has a lot more to give on and off field than 39 in May Boomer, who might only have another decent season (no disrespect intended to Boomer, but I'm not sure why he's surprised the club feel the need to invigorate) and will only attract pick 51. That makes Boomer close to worthless in the trade stakes, unless, like Mitchell he's considered good coaching material.
Penster
Guest
Sam Mitchell had a hard tag on him, that's a sign of his danger and his football brain will be useful well beyond his playing days. Hawks will probably only get pick 51 for him, so there's no skin off WCE's nose there. And he's a brilliant on-field leader, whether you care to admit that or not. West Coast won 9 of the last 11 matches and the only really impressive win of those last 11 was against GWS, who were due for a loss, and Nic Nat was firing, but yes it was impressive to get a win at Spotless. Lions, Essendon, North, Carlton, Melbourne, Freo, Hawks (on the decline), Crows (downhill skiers) are wins you'd expect from Top 4 contenders, which they are not. Mates deal - spot on. Immediately advantageous to the Hawks too.
Don Freo
Guest
Mitchell is none of those things any more. He was tagged out of the game in the second half of the season. Your characterization of WC is way off beam, Penster. WC won 10 of 11 games leading into the finals. No shortage of wins there. This is a mates' deal. Clarko, Simmo. Simmo's tendency to surround himself with mates needs to be pulled into line.
Penster
Guest
He was Hawthorn's highest poller in the Brownlow too. Umpires at it again?
Penster
Guest
What do WCE need? They need to wins games, they need hard contributors who don't stand around like witches hats defending open space but unwilling to win the inside ball or panic and spray the kick when they do. Slow, yeah he's slow, but he's got an exceptional football brain, accurate reflexes, has completed Level 3 Coaches course and learnt first hand from The University of Clarko. If some of that doesn't rub off at Subiaco then it will be a failure. I think Simpson has been quite savvy getting Mitchell's services ahead of retirement, the club needs a stronger coaching staff, why wait until Mitchell is retired? He also polled highest in the Brownlow for the Hawks this year so he's still current. Pumping Dougie, I'll raise it to win-win-win.
Birdman
Guest
gee with this sort of insightful posting, it makes me wonder how you get to Guru status on this site.
New York Hawk
Guest
You are a spud. If like for like, WCE should go back in time and trade us a young Chris Judd.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I wonder how many extra votes he got in the F&B, with Clarkson having a mind to try and offload him?
rusty
Roar Rookie
I was listening to SEN when the McCarthy deal was announced and they were staggered at how good a deal Fremantle got. It makes even more sense when you consider that the player Freo were going to pick at 3, Tim English, is every chance to still be there at pick 7.
giddy
Guest
Anon? What the hell. Freo won that trade by a country mile. It's perhaps the best trade in the clubs history. They swapped pick 3 for pick 7, 34,72 and McCarthy. This is the most even top end of the draft ever, where up to 9 players could go number 1. They know who they want and will most likely get him at pick 7. They then get pick 34, 72 and Cam McCarthy for free. They absolutely nailed it. Had freo made the deal last year they would have lost last years 1st rounder (which was used on Bennell) plus pick 3 this year, just for McCarthy alone. In fact it is without a doubt the best trade in Fremantles history! Also Stephen hill was pick 3 in 2008 and morabito pick 4 in 2009 and they haven't been worthy of building a team around
Lroy
Guest
"" ...youll get inner happiness...etc.. '' ha ha ..that gave me a chuckle. Well played ;-)
13th man
Guest
Tend to agree... terrible trade for West Coast... he isn't what you need! You guys need pace because apart from Gaff there isn't much there. Mitchell is simply another (even older..) Priddis, he really doesn't fit the mould of what you need, I agree he will be a great coach but why give up something to get him as a player for 1 year when next year you could get him for nothing as a coach? The Eagles need younger players.... Mitchell and Petrie have been great players but are well past 30. Makes no sense from West Coast..... I'm the other hand though it's absolutely clever from Hawthorn and the right way to go about it (take note North)
13th man
Guest
Typical anon... the post isn't even about Freo and you still find a way to have a go at them.......
13th man
Guest
Nah Dean Margetts will make sure he is well looked after at West Coast.... just like he looks after the ducker Shuey and the biter Masten
13th man
Guest
My hatred for that club has just reached new heights!!!
Slane
Guest
Freo were only ever going to recruit one of 3 players with their first pick. All 3 will probably still be around at pick 7. Another clueless anon comment.
Awron
Guest
In 2009 freo picked moribito with pick 4 and a little while later with 20 got some spud named Fyfe.... Drafts can always be a gamble... McCarthy has at least shown he can mix it in the big league and they got pick 7 and later picks back.... Well played freo I reckon.... And I bloody hate freo as a wce fan
Pumping Dougie
Guest
If Mitchell went as a free agent on a one year contract as a 33 year old, the AFL would be lucky to award a third round pick. Brent Harvey had another decent season but how much is he worth right now? Nothing in the AFL (sadly).
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Penster said 'win win' above in this thread.