Tom Mitchell from the Swans was one of Hawthorn’s two big pickups over the 2016 trade period, along with 2014 Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara from the Suns.
These two were going to be the future of the club, especially after losing experienced midfielders Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.
O’Meara has only managed four games this season due to persistent knee issues, similar to what kept him out for two seasons at the Gold Coast. On the other hand, Mitchell has become the leader of the Hawks midfield, going to a whole other level this season.
Mitchell has always been a ball magnet – he actually holds the record for most possessions in an under 18 or state league competition since 2006, racking up 64 touches playing for the Swans reserves in the NEAFL in 2014.
But even with his ball-winning ability, he was behind the likes of Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannenbery in Sydney and would be used sometimes as a tagger or run-with player. Even with this, he was still able to go out and win his own ball, averaging 27 possessions in 2015 and 28 in 2016.
His move to the Hawks was his opportunity to show what he is capable of – and boy has he delivered!
In 20 games this season, he has gained 711 possessions, leading the next best by 64, with an average of 35.6 a game. He has only gone under 30 possessions once this season and in Round 9 against Collingwood he became the seventh player in VFL-AFL history to break the 50 possessions in a game barrier.
Mitchell is also averaging 14.7 contested possessions, 6.2 clearances and 6.5 tackles, and has kicked ten goals this season.
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But the Hawks are currently 12th on the ladder. Mitchell is a stoppage king, almost always handballs more than kicks, and doesn’t rank too high in metres gained, so is not the most effective attacking player. That means those around him aren’t delivering Mitchell the help he needs, and it’s hurting the team.
That the next best Hawk for possessions is the retiring Luke Hodge, in 58th with an average of 24.1 per game, is scary. And you need to go all the way to 81 to find their next best, which is winger Isaac Smith, averaging 22.7.
Guys like Liam Shiels, Will Langford, Luke Breust, Jaeger O’Meara (when healthy) and young Daniel Howe need to be more effective in 2018 if the Hawks want to be competitive again.
Ryan Burton has been one of the shinning lights this season and is the favourite for this year’s Rising Star award. He has found himself a spot as a defender this season, averaging 21.2 disposals, and will move into the midfield into the future.
I can already imagine Mitchell lining up with O’Meara and Burton in the middle in 2018 – and it’s a scary prospect.
Birdman
Guest
hardly seems relevant IMHO - you either win it or you don't like the other 16 teams.
Birdman
Guest
"4 flags in 8 years is Messiah status in my books. He’s paid to coach, Graeme Wright is paid to recruit. Not a bad duo" Copy that Penster but IMHO fitness guru Andrew Russell is the third wheel (or Holy Ghost) in Hawthorn's footy dept. triumverate. Each of the 3 are the best in their respective fields.
Penster
Roar Guru
Peter the Oracle, 4 flags in 8 years is Messiah status in my books. He's paid to coach, Graeme Wright is paid to recruit. Not a bad duo. Rodney Eade is an obtuse, abrasive character who was put in a shambolic club, there was no way he'd be able to fix it, you'd need Clarko, Roos, Sheedy, Wright at the same time to turn things around on the Godless Coast, it's r00ted.
Penster
Roar Guru
I've advised the club I won't be renewing my 35 year membership until they undertake to consult Peter the Scribe before recruitment decisions.
Penster
Roar Guru
According to some, the Swans have had the flag in the bag every year since 2014. I think they're looking more mature and playing better than ever, but strange things happen on grand final day, usually to the Swans - they stuff it up. The Swans also needed to make room in their salary cap, like Hawks did when they discarded Kennedy, hence the move to Hawthorn. Mitchell is an excellent, tough inside mid, and they're harder to find than outside runner or forwards. Played the futures market with O'Meara, but Burgoyne arrived at Hawthorn on crutches. We'll see. With no low picks for a while, they had to get creative and scan the remnants, but I reckon 2018 the Hawks will finish higher than 2017. Clarko and Graham Wright are pretty good at their jobs, but there is a price to pay for 4 flags in 8 years ..................
Nick
Guest
But they will be closer in the short term than the hawks
Peter the Scribe
Guest
But they still believe Clarkson is the Messiah....yes he can coach but he is not the answer to everything, he had a great list built for him...give him three years at the Suns and I doubt we would see much improvement.
Birdman
Guest
Lovell will NOT have a successful career at Hawthorn unless he's relieved of the cursed no. 36 guernsey. Its already cruelled the start of his career and should be burnt and never issued to another player again.
Jonas
Guest
Ultimately in Hawthorns case, they can afford to make a judgement call on Omeara. Hawthorn have had their success and more, and it looks like again their might be more to come in the distant future. It is interesting to see though how fickle the media can be, earlier in the year they were positioning themselves to tear Hawthorn down on a few left of centre moves. However all of a sudden Hawthorn has come out of it looking better than ok. With both Mitchell and Lewis performances not really anything to write home about. And more importantly New Mitchell looking good and omeara could be more than handy if all pans out well. The fickle media is already jumping back on the hawthorn gravy chain!!!!
Mattyb
Guest
Pablo,why on earth have you decided to mention Collingwood in an article about Mitchell from Hawthorn? There seems to be multiple Collingwood articles every week now,with some pretty good discussion that if your capable you could take there.
GJ
Guest
19 - Cat has doesn't anything more than offer an alternative view. He hasn't wished anyone injured. Hawthorn rolled the dice, time will tell if it was a good or bad call.
Cat
Roar Guru
Where did he wish anyone to get injured? He is merely pointing out it is a very real possibility. The only ones who can't acknowledge it as a possibility are one eyed hawthorn fans.
Cat
Roar Guru
It just amazes me that some people get so defensive they invent reasons to get upset. No one has wished anyone to get hurt.
Nineteen
Guest
It just amazes me that so many people would like to wish that a player is injured so that they can point there finger and say "I told you so."
Nineteen
Guest
I'm not sure why wishing someone gets injured is such a good thing David C
Maggie
Guest
Buddy wouldn't care because he's 'on good coin in the world’s most liveable city…..'.
Birdman
Guest
I'm sure you'll keep your fingers crossed for lil' Jaeger, yeah Cat?
pablo
Guest
Cool down dudes. Y'all need some comfy undies.
Jack
Guest
I agree, and I think if the Hawks can get a young, ready made player to slot into the best 22 would be better long term
Cat
Roar Guru
Some people get too butt hurt because others aren't as convinced Omeara is a sure thing. He could be. He also be crueled by injury for the rest of his career. Personally, I think he'll play but need constant management (much like Dan Menzel at Geelong) but I don't believe he will ever get to where he was predicted to be. He'll be a solid player but not a superstar IMO. If I am right, and I admit I could be wrong, then the Hawks will be shown to have overpaid.