WHEN Hawthorn’s proposed move to Dingley was announced earlier this month, Jack Gunston joked that Sam Mitchell would be one of a number of the Hawks' brigade desperate to hang on for a few more years to experience the new facility.
Ten rounds into the season and Mitchell – as he has been for the past decade and a bit – has been one of the Hawks’ standout players.
And the 32-year old, four-time Hawthorn best and fairest, three-time premiership player and two-time All-Australian is showing no signs of slowing down.
The midfield ace has continued to find the footy with ease, averaging 29.6 possessions per match and stringing together six consecutive 30-plus possession games prior to the bye.
It’s a feat he has achieved just once before in his illustrious career.
But if you think Mitchell and the Hawks are happy to rest on their laurels after success in recent years, think again.
Mitchell hopes back-to-back wins against the Gold Coast Suns and St Kilda leading into the bye will be the catalyst for more success in the second part of the season.
“We certainly started off the year a little bit up and down, but I think the last month it has been a bit better and hopefully it’s the start of some changes toward the second part of the year where we can string a few wins together,” he said after the Hawks’ Round 10 win against St Kilda.
“It’s good to get the monkey off the back with the two in a row, but I think our effort over the last month has been okay.
“We haven’t been able to win all the games, but at least we’ve been putting in the effort that’s required to win.”
Losses to Essendon, Port Adelaide, GWS Giants and Sydney by a combined 24 points sees the Hawks stationed in sixth spot on the ladder.
Mitchell said he believed the Hawks didn’t have to change much.
“I think (just) our composure – we’ve lost four games and they’ve all been by two goals or less,” he said.
“We’ve just not been quite as composed as we would like to be when it really matters.
“We’ve looked at those games extensively. When we’re in that position, we know what we need to do, we just need to execute it.”
A desire to succeed and deliver when it counts most has been a feature of the Hawks’ current playing group, and Mitchell said he was excited about a number of younger players coming through the ranks.
He said Billy Hartung, 20, and Bradley Hill, 21, had gone from strength to strength this season.
“I think Billy Hartung has really taken the next step with his footy,” he said.
“His good games are really good, but his quieter games are still really strong and he’s still making a good contribution.
“I think he’s been impressive, and also Brad Hill.
"He started the season probably a bit slow by his standards, but his last month has been really good.”
The veteran Hawk has been able to put his feet up this week, enjoying some downtime with his family due to the bye.
The playing group returns from their break today, and Mitchell – who is set to become an AFL life member when he plays his 300th official game against Adelaide on Thursday (which includes 270 premiership matches, 27 pre-season games, one State of Origin match and one International Rules match) - is hungry for more success in the second half of the year.
And after signing a one-year contract extension earlier this year, the Hawks star's hunger for success won’t stop there.
