The stats
AFL games: 22
Disposals per game: 35.8
Marks: 5.3
Kicks: 14
Tackles: 6.5
Total goals: 10
Review
In his first year at Hawthorn, Mitchell was clearly one of the Hawks’ best players for the season.
Rewarded with his first selection into an All Australian side, the 24-year old led the competition for total disposals in 2017, creating a new home and away season record of 787 possessions.
The former Swan posted career-high marks in virtually all categories including kicks (14), marks (5.3), handballs (21.8), tackles (6.5), rebound 50s (2.1), clearances (6.3), contested possessions (14.8) and uncontested possessions (21.5).
A picture of consistency throughout the year, Mitchell was one of only six Hawks that played every game this year.
Mitchell’s biggest possession haul this year came in Round 9 against Collingwood, when the ball magnet gathered 50 disposals to become just the seventh player in league history to reach the half-century mark.
Another record Mitchell added to his 2017 bag of feats was his registering of 20 30-disposal or more games throughout the year, surpassing Dane Swan’s previous best of 18.
A word from: Brett Ratten
“He is now an All Australian. He had an amazing ability to win the ball and find the ball this year, whether he won it in a contested situation or he got involved in open play.
“He has been a great acquisition for us. His toughness and hardness around the ball really helps our midfield and helps us control the game.
“He’s been elite in a lot of areas of the game this year.”
