2013 Player Profile: Sam Mitchell

[Football Factory]

Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn

POSITION: Midfielder

OFFICIAL PRICE FOR 2013: $523,500



AGE: 30

HEIGHT: 179cm      WEIGHT: 83kg



2008 GAMES: 21      AVERAGE: 92

2009 GAMES: 22      AVERAGE: 102

2010 GAMES: 18      AVERAGE: 100

2011 GAMES: 20      AVERAGE: 112

2012 GAMES: 21      AVERAGE: 101



CAREER HIGHS:

DREAMTEAM: 158 vs Western Bulldogs 2012

SUPERCOACH: 161 vs North Melbourne 2008



BRIEF HISTORY:

2008   Performed at an exceptional level in 2008 consolidating his reputation as an elite stoppage player and midfield star. Old syle player with excellent vision and superb hands. Fifth in the AFL for kicks, third in the AFL for handballs and led the Hawks in handballs received, inside 50s and loose ball gets. The clubs sixth premiership captain.

2009   The inspirational premiership captain was one of few Hawks to maintain his 2008 form, Mitchell actually took his game to a new level a significant achievement in a tough year for the club. Battled through late season injury niggles to win his second best and fairest by a landslide margin, polling votes in 21 of his 22 games. Equal second in the AFL for disposals, he averaged 29.7 a game, amassing more than 30 on 13 occasions. Led the competition for uncontested possessions(483)

2010    Another fine season, his last before relinquishing his captaincy to Luke Hodge. Played 19 of 23 games and led the Hawks in long kicks, handballs given and received and loose ball gets. The Hawks missed his leadership and clearance work when he was out with a hamstring injury early in the season and his brilliant match saving smother of Richmond's Shane Tuck in round eight helped spark Hawthorn's revival.

2011   A special year for Mitchell, with the birth of twins and his best season of football. Played 23 games and led the Hawks in total and average possessions (701 and 30.5) and clearances (131 and 5.7). Finally won All-Australian selection and earned 30 brownlow votes but was ineligible to win after an incident in Round 5 of the season. He had the second-most votes, behind Collingwood's Dane Swan.

2012   In 2012 Mitchell had another exceptional season and again was runners up in the Brownlow, this time to Jobe Watson. Sam Mitchell has won the Peter Crimmins Medal four times (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012), the most of any current Hawthorn player.



VERDICT:  One of the best midfielders going around but not necessarily when it comes to Fantasy Football. Has only averaged over 102 once in 2011 when he averaged 112. Has missed only ten games in the last seven years so he is pretty durable.

PREDICTION: Another great year coming up for Mitchell and maybe a good chance of a Brownlow but im not sure if he can return to his 2011 average of 112. If he can average highly again he is undervalued obviously at $523,500 . Hawks have a tough draw early on which wont help his numbers an average of 100-110 is possible for this inspirational Hawk but he isn't getting any younger.

[The It]

He's an upgrade target for me if he's killing it but definitely not a starter with the Hawks tough start

[henry]

An absolute gun of the competition and one of my favourite players. I'd love for him to win a Brownlow, he deserves it. Unfortunately at 30 I feel his best may be past him. Still good for a 95+ average I reckon but you want your midfield guns averaging 110+, so not for me,

[Adamant]

An absolute gun of the competition and one of my favourite players. I'd love for him to win a Brownlow, he deserves it. Unfortunately at 30 I feel his best may be past him. Still good for a 95+ average I reckon but you want your midfield guns averaging 110+, so not for me,

Yeah, +1. I can't see Mitch finishing in the top 8 mids, but mabye as an upgrade target if he drops quite a bit in price like this year.

[Mr.Craig]

Ratten challenges Mitchell to step up...

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2013-01-01/ratten-to-challenge-mitchell