Mitchell to miss entire season
Hawk suffers broken leg
Reigning Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell will miss the entire 2019 season after suffering a nasty broken leg at training yesterday.
In a shattering blow to Hawthorn’s season, Mitchell will undergo surgery this weekend.
He was rushed to hospital after sustaining the injury in a tackling drill, with an ambulance called to Waverley Park.
“For Tom to suffer an injury like this is incredibly disappointing for both him and our footy club,” Hawks football boss Graham Wright said.
“He will undergo surgery over the weekend and as a result will most likely miss the 2019 season.
“However, Tom is a very resilient young man and we have no doubt that he will tackle his rehab with the same professionalism and diligence with which he approaches his training.”
The Herald Sun has seen images of an ambulance sheet being placed over Mitchell on the Waverley Park grass.
Clearly in pain, he was surrounded by medical staff and paramedics.
The innocuous incident occurred during Hawthorn’s first training session after the Christmas break.
Hawthorn’s club doctor accompanied Mitchell to hospital.
Hawks doctor Michael Makdissi said Mitchell suffered “no other associated injuries” from the trauma.
“As such it is just a matter of waiting for the bones to heal,” Dr Makdissi said.
The winner of the 2018 Brownlow Medal with 28 votes, Mitchell has also claimed back-to-back club best-andfairest awards after crossing from Sydney following the 2016 season.
Mitchell also won the AFL Players’ Association’s MVP award in 2018 and was an AllAustralian in 2017 and ’18.
Hawthorn teammates watched on as the AFL’s best ball winner was taken to hospital.
His extended absence will mean a major reshuffling of the Hawthorn midfield.
The Hawks lost their two finals in 2018 to finish fourth but, after missing the finals the year before, had been bullish about their prospects in the coming season.
They were busy in the trade period, recruiting injured GWS wingman Tom Scully.
Hawthorn also sent Ryan Burton to Port Adelaide so they could recruit two-time All-Australian Chad Wingard.
The Hawks have until March 15 to sign a replacement player who has previously nominated for the draft under a new AFL rule.