If one soldier goes down, there is another soldier ready to replace him.
It’s a mantra that Alastair Clarkson has made famous throughout his coaching career.
In light of Tom Mitchell’s injury, we take a look at the young on-ballers who could potentially fill the void left by their star teammate.
James Worpel
Not many first-year players are introduced at their first club best and fairest night to the biggest applause of the event. But such was Worpel’s impact in his debut season that the 19-year-old already finds himself firmly in fan favouritism. A hard-at-it midfielder who loves the contest and also has the ability to hit the scoreboard, the ‘Worpedo’ will be hoping for an increase in midfield minutes in 2019.
Daniel Howe
Entering his fifth season and with 50 games now under his belt, Daniel Howe is another candidate who will be looking to step up in Mitchell’s absence this year. Another Hawk who puts his nose to the grindstone and relishes a contest, there will be many more contested possessions to win this season without Mitchell’s 16-plus per game and Howe figures as one who could potentially shoulder that burden.
Dylan Moore
Despite having not yet featured at AFL level, Dylan Moore’s form towards the back end of last year’s VFL season for the Box Hill Hawks suggested he is ready for senior football. One of the elite endurance runners at the club, Moore averaged 18 disposals and 3.5 goals across the preliminary and grand finals. A proven ball-getter throughout his juniors, Moore is certainly one to watch as the season draws closer.
James Cousins
An out and out ball-winner. Obviously, that’s how we would describe our most recent Brownlow Medallist, but that is also how we’d label young midfielder James Cousins. Cousins excelled at VFL level in 2018, averaging 25 possessions, five tackles and four marks through his 16 games for Box Hill. He recorded 30 or more disposals on four occasions and averaged just shy of 10 handball receives per game. With seven senior games from his first two seasons, the 20-year-old will be determined to add to his tally this year.
