Mitchell thanks fans for support in retirement announcement

A player's career can't go on forever, everyone has to retire eventually. I've always rated Mitchell highly. What stood out to me was, he was a strong runner & nearly always seemed to be able to break the first tackle made on him. It's a shame to see him hang the boots up.

Well played, Drew. All the best.

And to play in 2 World CUps After such a horrific ankle injury. Well played Drew Mitchell

You have to be joking mate. You obviously know nothing about respect for these retiring players who have achieved a huge amount in Wallaby colours. Its not about how good or not they are now, its about the great careers we can look back on and applaud. Mitchell and Giteau can be proud of their Wallaby achievements. They were the best in the world in their respective positions at one stage.

Thanks. Mitchell could play. He deserves our respect and thanks.

Drew was one of the the best Wallaby backs since the last golden era of Roff etc.. Generally a very consistent player, right into his 30s, which is unusual for a winger. He also seems to be very articulate when talking on rugby matters, so might move into commentary? Thanks Drew!

He played well at the last world cup. But he never lived up to his initial promise, I think he scored two tries on debut vs NZ? Alas, he never drank from the big cup, along with all his contemporaries and this will lower their ranking in the Wallaby history book. Much like England cricketers between 1989 and 2005.

Of all the controversial WBs over time, Drew was not really one of them. Well deserved his place, so its sad to see one of the few comments here take such a negative tone. A rare chance for OZ rugby fans in recent times to celebrate and reflect positively on something... yet the comment section has no discussion? A sign of the times perhaps. Kudos for speaking up Johnno!

Great career Drew, congratulations on all achieved.

It's a bit disappointing that The Roar didn't give a tribute to Mitchell, but rather instead just posted this news story. I liked Mitchell very much. I recall the disgustingly horrid year that was 2005, and all the injuries the Wallabies sustained - Larkham out, Flatley retired due to concussions, Mortlock out, etc. If I went back through George Gregan's biography I'd recall about four or five more injuries. Gregan noted in his book that by the end of the year, Drew Mitchell was like a senior player. The high-point of that year for Mitchell was his scoring arguably the try of the year, FOR ANY COUNTRY, against New Zealand. He glided into five-eighth from full-back, beat a few players, and then in wet conditions he glided over the turf with Jerry Collins on his back. I recall ohtani's jacket telling me that he thought Mitchell would one day replace Latham at fullback and that he was the most talented Australian footballer he'd seen in a while. It didn't happen though. I have enormous respect for Adam Ashley-Cooper, but in 2008 he wasn't as good as he would later become, and I felt with Latham retiring in 2007, that Mitchell would have been the better choice. Certainly after AAC's game against South Africa where Australia lost by their biggest margin in history, I thought Mitchell should have been selected. What's disappointing is that I'm not sure Mitchell was really given a platform to utilise his full potential. For me, the highpoint of Mitchell's career and Robbie Deans' coaching stint, was the performances of Australia's back three in 2010. Kurtley Beale... oh how people forget how great you were in 2010! When Beale had an electric year, James O'Connor finally found his feet at international level, and that back three performed incredible that year, with Mitchell having his best year for the Wallabies. Unfortunately I do regard Mitchell as someone we never saw in full-bloom.

Chicken legs Gits .. hahaha

That's a bit harsh Marto! Especially on Mitchell. Who is the third player you refer to?

2 down, one to go..When is Dean Mumm announcing his retirement ?