Freshly crowned Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell has lauded the impact of joining the Hawks in achieving the game’s highest individual honour, highlighting the influence of coach Alastair Clarkson.
Mitchell polled 28 votes on Monday night to win the award from Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom after carrying the tag of Brownlow favourite for much of what was a sensational 2018 campaign for the onballer.
The 25-year-old capped his impressive rise to one of the competition's elite midfielders with the award on Monday night, crediting his move to the Hawks two seasons ago.
The prolific ball-winner played 65 games for Sydney, where he was drafted under the father son rule in 2011, before making the move which he says gave him the chance to take his game to another level, with four-time premiership coach Clarkson a huge factor.
“Under Clarko’s guidance I think I have definitely improved as a footballer,” Mitchell told SEN on Tuesday morning.
“I think my time in Sydney, while I loved my time up there, I probably struggled for opportunity so… I don’t think I ever had the chance to really prove myself.
“But coming to Hawthorn, Clarko instilled so much belief in me and filled me with confidence and I have no doubt that that’s helped me improve as a player.”
Mitchell set the tone early for what would be a stellar 2018 season, breaking the record for the most disposals in a game with 54 against the Pies in Round 1, before also recording the most in a single season with 848.
But one thing Mitchell said had also helped fuel his Brownlow-winning form was an improved preparation – in particular his diet.
Formerly a fan of Barbecue Shapes and Kit Kats in the lead up to a game, Mitchell admitted some of his rituals had certainly changed.
“It is true, I think those one per cent, two per cent things add up,” the midfielder said.
“When you’re a young 22-year-old kid you think ‘what’s diet matter, it’s just another little thing’.
“But now that I’ve taken that more seriously and a number of other things in terms of my sleep, I really do understand what professionalism is.”
