The midfielder polled 172 votes to convincingly take out the prestigious award ahead of fellow midfielder Brad Sewell who polled 156 votes, and defender Grant Birchall who finished third for a second consecutive year on 144 votes.
It places Mitchell in an elite group of players who have won Hawthorn’s best and fairest on four occasions, he joins former teammate and premiership player Shane Crawford, four-time premiership player Jason Dunstall and Club Legend John Kennedy Snr. The group is only bettered by one other: Leigh Matthews, who won the award eight times.
In a year that saw the 29 year old play his 200th AFL match, Mitchell polled votes in 21 of a possible 24 matches; one better than last year. He was judged best on ground on five occasions, including back-to-back stand-out performances in Hawthorn’s tough Round 23 win over West Coast and the Club’s Qualifying Final win over Collingwood.
Mitchell was aided in the midfield by Sewell, who finished runner-up after another solid season. The gritty in-and-under midfielder polled 156 votes in 21 of a possible 24 matches. He was judged best afield in five matches, one of which was the Grand Final, and was voted in the Club’s best three players on 11 occasions.
The 2007 Peter Crimmins medallist was a pillar of strength Hawthorn’s 2012 finals series, taking on some of the League’s best midfielders, and as a result was awarded Hawthorn’s Best Player in Finals.
Hawks defender Grant Birchall rounded out the Club’s top three after his impressive season off half-back. Birchall polled in 21 of a possible 23 matches, including two best on grounds and nine top three finishes. The 24 year old was also recognised externally in 2012 with his first selection in the All-Australian side.
Small forward Luke Breust finished the night fourth in the count and won Hawthorn’s Most Promising Player award. Vice-captain Jordan Lewis was awarded Most Consistent after polling in 20 of a possible 22 matches. Young forward Jack Gunston won Best First Year player following his strong second half of the year and Brent Guerra was named Best Clubman after his selfless approach to the final series.
On the night, Hawthorn President Andrew Newbold acknowledged and thanked valued sponsors PUMA and HSBC, whose respective 38- and nine-year partnerships with Hawthorn concluded at the end of the 2012 season.
Newbold announced that internationally recognised sports performance brand adidas, and leading telecommunications challenger iiNet, would join the Club’s corporate family from 2013.
Global sports giant adidas’ technical experts and designers will work collaboratively with the Hawthorn’s high performance and sports science department to provide the Club with leading edge technology through its innovative range of footwear and sporting apparel.
Hawthorn’s partnership with Australia’s second largest internet supplier iiNet, will see the telecommunications brand feature prominently on the back of the Hawks’ guernsey and on the new 2013 range of Hawks apparel.
Peter Crimmins Medal Top 10
1. Sam Mitchell - 172
2. Brad Sewell - 156
3. Grant Birchall - 144
4. Luke Breust - 140
5. Lance Franklin - 139
6. Jordan Lewis - 129
6. Cyril Rioli - 129
8. David Hale - 118
9. Jarryd Roughead - 116
9. Ben Stratton - 116
Other awards
Most Promising - Luke Breust
Best First Year Player - Jack Gunston
Most Consistent - Jordan Lewis
Best Clubman - Brent Guerra
Best Player in Finals - Brad Sewell
