When the Eagles agreed to trade two drafts picks to the Hawks in return for three lower draft picks and Sam Mitchell, many AFL followers were incredulous. After the initial surprise, the prevailing view seemed to be that West Coast had made a great deal.
It’s not a view I shared at the time. A few months on and my position has not shifted. Sam Mitchell moving to West Coast is a terrible deal for West Coast. I’ve five major concerns.
One. At the end of the season was anyone saying something like the following. “What the Eagles really need to boost them up the ladder is another slow, short kicking midfielder”. Of course not.
Yet that is what the Eagles have recruited. Perhaps the cardinal rule of recruiting an established player is that they should address a deficiency in the team recruiting them. Mitchell does not meet this requirement.
Two. Mitchell occupies a spot on West Coast’s playing list. People fail to realise there is an opportunity cost associated with this. Mitchell we can be confident will not improve. The man is 34. Who else could be on that list, improving? You never know when your next star might be uncovered and Mitchell might cost the Eagles a chance at finding the next ‘unknown’ star of the game.
Three. Not only does Mitchell occupy a spot on the list he will also, presumably receive game time. Every game he plays robs a young midfielder or small defender of game time. One wonders what thoughts must be going through Liam Duggan’s mind? He’s a quality kid who will likely play less – because of Mitchell.
Four. This point is an issue related to the salary cap. Mitchell would not be cheap. Who else could be getting that money at the Eagles?
Who might look for greener pastures because the Eagles can’t fit them in their salary cap because they are paying for a coach in waiting?
Five. It helps the Hawks. The Hawks needed to free up their salary cap a lot more than they needed Mitchell. They recognised that he will only deteriorate as he ages. They realise you should not pay a player simply because he might be a good coach when he retires. The Hawks get a tangible benefit from this trade. More cash.
The Eagles simply do not. The Eagles are competing against the Hawks. Why on earth would you want to give them the ability to pay O’Meara? It’s just baffling.
What I find most bizarre about the whole thing is the suggestion that in securing Mitchell as a player, West Coast is also getting a quality coach. There is absolutely no guarantee that a good player translates into a good coach even when they show an aptitude for on-field leadership. Voss, Hird and Buckley are all examples of fine captains with poor coaching records.
Lastly if he is such a quality leader, such an asset, such a coach in waiting then why did the Hawks gift him away? I’d suggest it’s because despite being a great servant of the Hawthorn football club, his best days are behind him.
I’d suggest they value tomorrow’s player over yesterday’s. They value the opportunity that his departure creates as opposed to the opportunity cost of funding his gradual decline and retirement.
Spud-053
Guest
A very interesting annalists of the former Hawk now Eagle Mitchell, I am with you on this as too many clubs do the same stupid mistake, thinking they are getting a great player, yes in this case he was a great player, will he be for the Eagles very doubtful. At 34 he has to learn how his teammates react on the field and that does not happen overnight....that in fact takes years of training together and then some players still dont know how theit teammates react,
steve
Guest
The author of this article simply doesn't know what he is talking about. A slow short kicking midfielder !! Thats like complaining about Einsteins inability to paint like Picasso. Since the AFL came into existence, Sam Mitchell is the best footballer to have ever pulled on a pair of boots for the most successful team that has existed. His lifetime output has the best - including Judd, Hodge, Ablett, and Swan, well and truly covered, he has a few good years left and he cost WCE nothing. Strap yourself in for the ride, WCE are now challenging for a flag.
Aransan
Guest
I am wondering if Fyfe had an undiagnosed hairline fracture, he certainly played one final during which his leg problem became very apparent.
Kris Hateley
Roar Rookie
I didn't know the Hawks were covering his costs. That might change things a little if that is the case which I've got to say, seems unlikely.
Kris Hateley
Roar Rookie
Yep he was pretty good on the weekend. Lets see how he goes during the season.
Kris Hateley
Roar Rookie
I'm writing this now because anyone can look in the rear view mirror and sound like a genius. Perhaps I'm wrong. We'll see.
Kris Hateley
Roar Rookie
If he's going so well then why gift him...... Either way at the end of the season one club is going to look more than just a bit silly.
Cat
Roar Guru
I tend to agree he won't be the player he was, but I disagree on why. Age is too easy a cop out, he could be a Boomer Harvey type and able to play seemingly forever. I think his game will take a step back this year because for the first time in many years, he is the new guy going into a new (for him) system. He won't have the innate chemistry with players like he has for a decade or more at Hawthorn. He'll still be good, but not as good as if he was still at Hawthorn. What he will bring is hardness between the ears – which WCE have sorely lacked for a number of years.
Kris Hateley
Roar Rookie
I think perhaps I should have balanced this article with a more positive description of Mitchell. For the record I think he's been a fantastic player. I just don't think he'll be the player he has been for the last five years. Quite frankly, I find it absurd that people do. He will almost certainly deteriorate as most mids do. He's bucked the trend just making it to 34.
DeanM
Guest
Yes, his leg broke months later due to the bruising and not because of the medical treatment he received from the club. When he dies at the age of 86 it will be because of the knee from Mitchell.
Birdman
Guest
spot on Don, the Hawks are cooked for at least a decade off the back of that result..........
Birdman
Guest
no
Aransan
Guest
Was that where Fyfe had his leg broken?
DeanM
Guest
Dont mind Don he is so out of touch with the reality of Football. Every young Spud on the Dockers list is a bonified star including the one's that end up on the scrap heap. Ross Lying is the greatest coach ever and Hawthorn were going to miss the finals every year for the past 4 years. He has serious Hawk envy given the extensive and traumatic history of the Hawks using Fremantle as a stepping stone to premiership glory and a particular dislike for the great Sam Mitchell. He is still upset that when Fyfe tried to take Mitchell out he defended himself with a perfectly timed knee.
kevin
Guest
I’ve been a Hawthorn member for 68 years and Mitchell ranks in the three best Hawthorn players over that period, with Matthews and Hudson. He was playing as well at the end of 2016 as at any time in a stellar career.
Don Freo
Guest
...or they lose...by 21 points to NM.
Penster
Roar Guru
The Hawks win by not having Lewis, Mitchell, Hodge, Burgoyne & Gibson retire in one hit. It's a staggered exit strategy and list management, nothing more.
Scott
Guest
He's a gun. Always has been and still is
Scott
Guest
1. What they needed most was another gun midfielder that shows up to every game. They got one of the competitions best players that has consistently been in the very elite few players whilst never having speed 2. Yes Mitchell occupies a spot on the Eagles list. It is perhaps spot number 1. If not it's top 5. They gave up nothing. They gave up pick 88. It would probably have actually ended up being a rookie spot they gave up. When Mitchell retires they get to pick another player which could very well be a lot higher than 88. They may have 4 picks in the top 30 the year he retires meaning they have a spot for a likely better player. 3. They are a genuine premiership contender now. Why the hell would you care about getting 22 games spread across a few young players when your in your premiership window. Also the young players will prob get more confidence playing in a winning team anyway, which Mitchell undoubtedly helps. 4. This is the only point with any merit. Sam makes a good case in the comment above. 5. Mitchell is the biggest reason Hawthorn has made 5 grand finals and won 4 premierships in the last few years. He now plays for West Coast. That alone is an advantage over Hawthorn. West Coast weren't getting Omeara anyway so who gives a rats. It's Either Omeara would be playing with another one of west coasts competitors or Mitchell would be. This whole trade is a massive win for West Coast. Even if Mitchell breaks his back and doesn't play a game what did West Coast lose? A lower pick than they will get this year, that's it. It could still be a win anyway
Don Freo
Guest
Why do you think Mitchell's possessions say anything? He just sits in a space, collects an easy ball (as long as he doesn't have to bend over) and gives it to others without any advantage to anyone...apart from gaining a stat. Those last 10 games, he was sat on and could not get anything creative happening. The opposition just say, let Mitchell get it, then jump on him...he'll just give it to anyone. He is too slow to create any more. Talk contested stats and you'll be more likely to impress us.