IT BAFFLES Luke Hodge that Sam Mitchell still doesn't get the credit he deserves outside of Hawthorn's four walls.
Hodge isn't talking about Mitchell's sublime skills on both sides of his body or his football smarts in heavy traffic, which have been lauded over his 279-game career.
Instead he can't understand why the man who handed him the captaincy isn't feted for his courage and toughness, despite copping a battering every time he pulls on the brown and gold.
"If you look at someone who has played the majority in midfield for his whole career, he's into his 14th year now and for someone to get bashed from pillar to post, continually get up, he doesn't miss many games, he's durable," Hodge told AFL.com.au.
"People look at blokes like a Joel Selwood – who they call courageous – I don't think Mitch is that far behind him.
"If the ball's there to be won, he's going to put his head in the hole to win it. He does get hit an awful lot and keeps getting back up."
Mitchell has only missed 14 of 119 matches since 2011 – eight during the middle of last year when he was sidelined by a hamstring tendon complaint.
At the time, some feared the end was nigh for the midfield warrior.
But Mitchell, 32, has bounced back like a man a decade younger.
He ran one vote behind Hodge in last year's Norm Smith Medal count, tying for second with Jordan Lewis in the rampant Grand Final triumph.
This year, he's poised to enter rarified air in the pantheon of Hawks greats by clinching his fifth best and fairest award.
Mitchell has played all but one match in 2015, collecting team highs for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and sitting top-five for tackles and inside 50s.
If he's again crowned the Peter Crimmins medallist, he will move clear of club greats John Kennedy Snr, Jason Dunstall and Shane Crawford (four).
Only the immortal Leigh Matthews (eight) would stand apart.
"When Mitch retires, no doubt he's going to be up there with the greats of the footy club," Hodge said.
"He's won a number of (best and fairests), he's played in three flags now, a couple of All Australians and I would be very surprised if he doesn't get another one this year."
Throw in a NAB AFL Rising Star award and equal ninth spot in the all-time Brownlow Medal vote tally and it's been an illustrious career for a player overlooked in the 2000 draft.
But despite all of Mitchell's on-field exploits, Hodge saved some of highest praise for the 2008 premiership captain's work behind the scenes at Waverley.
"Anyone who wants to sit down and have a conversation with him about football, where football's going or you watch a game and just get him to explain to you how he sees the game, it's a real eye-opener," Hodge said.
"(It) has been excellent. Not only for the leaders around the football club but also the younger guys just to sit back and hear someone with so much knowledge explain the game.
"It really helps develop the younger guys."
