Hawthorn midfielder and 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell is weighing up a trade request that would see him join a third AFL club, reports Seven’s Mitch Cleary.
The 29-year-old was given a reduced midfield role in 2022 under new Hawks coach Sam Mitchell which has seen him consider an exit from Waverley Park.
He hasn’t lost much form given he is the reigning best and fairest winner, but after a third consecutive bottom-six finish, the Hawks are trying to put time into their younger midfielders like Josh Ward and Jai Newcombe.
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Mitchell was traded from Sydney after the 2016 season, in exchange for Pick 14 plus a swap of later selections, after finding it tough to break into the then-powerful Swans midfield.
The Hawks were willing to give up Mitchell in the 2021 trade period as they sought draft picks to accelerate their rebuild but this time it is Mitchell who is interested, with the club happy to accommodate the move.
Seven reported multiple teams have been made aware of Mitchell’s interest in a new home with Collingwood mentioned as a potential destination, though the Magpies will be busy with players including Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton likely to join them.
“Despite a year to run on his contract, Tom Mitchell’s reduced role has him assessing a move to a third club,” Seven’s Mitch Cleary said on Wednesday evening.
“Last year the Hawks led the talk, this year they’re aware of Mitchell’s thinking and happy to accommodate a trade.
“Collingwood is among the clubs who’ve been made aware of the situation and will monitor Mitchell, but do have bigger trade priorities. They’ve been the second-worst centre clearance team this year and Mitchell has links to Craig McRae, Brendon Bolton and Graham Wright from their Hawks days.
“Mitchell used at just 50 per cent of Hawks centre bounces, a big drop on his average as they get midfield time into Josh Ward, Jai Newcombe and James Worpel, plus have an interest in Giant Tanner Bruhn.”
