Collingwood premiership midfielder Tom Mitchell didn’t feel valued in his final year at Hawthorn and says he was singled out for harsh and “unprofessional” treatment in team meetings.
The inside midfielder played 106 games at Hawthorn between 2017 and 2022, winning the Brownlow Medal in 2018, before moving to Collingwood in the last trade period.
But late in his time at the Hawks, as Sam Mitchell and his coaching team prioritised developing younger midfielders, the 30-year-old said his time at centre bounces was strictly limited and he “didn’t really feel valued at all”.
Speaking to the Ball Magnets podcast, Tom Mitchell opened up on the team meetings that made him certain the Hawks “wanted me out”.
“I would chat with Dylan Moore, Finn Maginness, Will Day, these guys who are some of my good mates still and we’d call it ‘the Tom Mitchell game review’,” he said.
Tom Mitchell in his final Hawthorn season. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“That was (it) signed, sealed and delivered. I knew after that (team) meeting, ‘I’m not coming back here next year, whatever happens I’m not coming to Hawthorn’.
“One review where there was like five or so clips of just me. There was a few that were fair … but I got barrelled this meeting. All five clips and that was the meeting done.
“I walked out of that thinking, ‘Are you serious?’ This is unprofessional, unfair’. Made me feel like absolute s*** in front of everyone, and that happened a few times.”
Having moved to Collingwood, Mitchell played all 26 games as a crucial midfield cog in 2023’s flag-winning team.
“I was pretty happy when the opportunity came to come to Collingwood. A fresh start was exactly what I needed,” he said.
“Move 12 months forward – and it’s easy to say now that we’ve won and can celebrate and these things – but regardless of if we won, I’m just a much happier person with where I’m at in my life.
“It’s a credit to Fly (coach Craig McRae) to be honest, and the players for embracing me.”
Midfield teammate Jordan De Goey wasn’t surprised Collingwood’s environment was getting the best out of Mitchell.
“At the moment we’ve got a really nurturing kind of environment,” he said at the launch of the FIM Supercross World Championship at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday. “Players want to be themselves and that’s why people want to come to the footy club.
“They see what Fly’s created: a good culture, good people, and you’re allowed to have a good time which is the best part about it.
“You’ve seen players thrive in the conditions under the footy club. That’s why it’s a destination club now.”
WCE
Roar Rookie
Terrible ordeal that must have been no not the handbag
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I don't think he was treated too unfairly. At least the GM didn't make comments about his wife's handbag or jeans or whatever.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
It must be racial discrimination due to his white skin. Absolute disgrace in this day & age. Let’s have a full investigation by the AFL integrity committee.
Sam Branigan
Roar Rookie
Seems very focussed on why his efforts weren't being rewarded, rather than what he could have done so his efforts would be rewarded. Loved him as a Hawk, but I think that in time he'll regret spending so much energy focussed on his supposed mistreatment by Hawthorn rather than enjoying the immediate aftermath of a premiership.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Seems like a senior player being held to a higher standard than his younger team mates - the club trying to enforce srtandards without smashing the confidence of the young blokes. Seems a pretty logical course of action. The bigger question is why didn't Mitchell have disucssions with the coaching group around this rather than just sulking? Also did he ever look inward?
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I dunno. Hawthorn mistreating its players? Seems very out of character.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
to think the rumour was he was going to richmond the year before. for bugger all. bugger!
Chancho
Roar Rookie
Wow! I always liked Tom Mitchell and considerd us fortunate when he joined the club. He was such a workhorse and so dependable. It’s terrible that he feels this way, but I can see how it happened what with the focus on the younger group coming through.