Hawks pace Mitchell’s return after more than 500 days on sideline
HAWTHORN’S Tom Mitchell will miss tomorrow’s practice match against St Kilda as the Hawks manage his comeback from a broken leg.
The 2018 Brownlow medallist cruised through his first serious hit-out in more than 500 days when the Hawks opened the pre-season series with a 21point loss to the Saints last Thursday.
Mitchell won’t be involved when the teams battle in Morwell to raise funds for emergency services workers caught up in the bushfire crisis.
But the ball magnet remains on track to play Brisbane at the MCG in Round 1, which would be his AFL match since the Hawks’ 2018 semi-final loss to Melbourne.
Hawthorn football manager Graham Wright said Mitchell’s leg had pulled up better than his feet following the match at Moorabbin.
“I think he had some blisters on his feet, they were a bigger issue for him than his leg,” Wright said.
“He could’ve played longer but we thought 2½-3 quarters was as much as we wanted him to play. He’ll play again (against Melbourne in Launceston) next week.
I would’ve thought in his mind he’ll certainly be on track for Round 1. At this stage, with him having played a game already, I’d be surprised, outside of another injury, (if he didn’t play Round 1).”
Wright said the Hawks were hopeful Mitchell could recapture his brilliant best following last year’s freak preseason training accident. But finding top form after breaking your fibula and tibia is never an easy thing to do.
“We know Tom’s an unbelievably hard worker and sets the example from our club’s perspective in relation to being professional,” Wright said.
“He won’t leave any stone unturned getting back to the player he was. He’s such a natural ball-winner and a natural footballer so actually finding the football has never been an issue for him.
“Until he actually starts playing regularly we’re just not going to know.”