Mihocek banks on new deal
MAKESHIFT forward Brody Mihocek will go into the biggest game of his football career without the guarantee of a signed contract for next year.
But one of the fairytale stories of Collingwood’s 2018 season insists he finally feels a part of the club’s future.
It’s understood the Magpies have offered Mihocek a twoyear deal on a low base.
Asked about the fact that he will go into today’s grand final without the security of a 2019 deal, Mihocek insisted that will sort itself out in due course.
“I don’t know how it all works,” he said. “It’s not bothering me now, and we’ll worry about that next week.”
Then he added with a smile: “[If the Magpies win] I might have some more confidence to talk about some more money.”
The 25-year-old, who toiled hard at VFL and suburban levels before getting his chance as a rookie with the Magpies, hasn’t missed a game since his Round 11 debut against Fremantle, and has been a crucial member of the club’s attack with 28 goals.
Having been overlooked at AFL level for so long, the Tasmanian says he will never take anything for granted, but believed he had a strong future with the club that gave him his chance late last year.
“The confidence has grown every week that I can stay a part of this team,” said Mihocek, who played in Port Melbourne’s VFL flag as a defender 12 months ago.
“You never take anything for granted, but I’ve loved being a part of it, and that will lead into the grand final, and into next year.
“I’ve loved what has hap- pened this year. But I know I will have to work my arse off in the pre-season to earn my spot again. It is good to have that sort of mindset.”
Mihocek’s journey from All-Australian junior to the VFL system and ultimately to Collingwood has been another of the Magpies’ stunning stories this season.
“I knew if I could get on an AFL list, I would do everything I could to make it work,” he said. “I was lucky to come to Collingwood. The odds were against them leading into the season, but we’re a very close team and we’re in a grand final now.”
His father, Jack, a former Essendon player, and his mother, Jan, are across from their Cooee base in Tasmania.
Mihocek played on West Coast intercept marking defender Jeremy McGovern when the Magpies met the Eagles at the MCG in Round 17, enduring a tough afternoon, and he also spent time early in the qualifying final before Chris Mayne played a shutdown role.
“I don’t know what is going to happen there,” he said of the potential match-ups.