Tom Mitchell is set to run out in the Hawthorn guernsey for the first time on Sunday, having been named in the Hawks’ 29-man-squad to take on the Kangaroos.
According to teammate Jack Gunston, the former Swan is primed for the challenged after an impressive first pre-season at the Ricoh Centre.
“He’s come in and hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Gunston told SEN on Friday morning.
“He knows how to find the ball and he’s so clean with his hands.
“He’s actually a very good kick on his left side, so he’ll be a great addition to our contested ball numbers, that’s for sure.”
It’s been well documented that former skipper Luke Hodge has been thoroughly impressed by his new teammate, and Jack Gunston has a theory as to why.
“I can only assume he beat Hodgey in a few one-on-ones out on the training track,” Jack Gunston says cheekily.
“[Mitchell] doesn’t lose too many contests, and [he and Hodge] have been powering up a lot together over the pre-season, so I can only imagine that Tommy is going pretty well in the contested ball area.”
Read: Match preview JLT Game 2
Gunston is also set to make his return to the field on Sunday at Arden Street, after sitting out JLT Game 1. The forward is eager to line up alongside his new captain in Jarryd Roughead, after missing his on-field leadership in the 2016 season.
“In a way it was great to have him outside of football last year as I could refer to him a lot, but having him on field I get that immediate feedback from a guy that’s so talented and has played years of football.
“Just having him back out there is such a positive for myself, and for the footy club.”
