Mitchell could be in elite company

BROWNLOW Medal contender Tom Mitchell could this weekend join Geelong’s Gary Ablett as the only men since Champion Data started recording statistics in 1999 to have 40 or more disposals in four consecutive matches.

Mitchell, who is vying for Brownlow favouritism with last year’s winner Dustin Martin, has already broken the game disposal record with 54 disposals in Round 1.

Last year the Hawthorn star amassed the highest possession tally for a player (787) in a home-and-away season – a record he could topple after collecting 136 in the first three games.

Another 40-disposal game against Melbourne on Sunday would see him join Ablett as the only man to do it four games in a row, albeit Ablett’s streak went from the final round of 2011 to Round 3, 2012.

The Hawks ball magnet said he didn’t care about plaudits or breaking records — all he cared about was beating Melbourne at the MCG. Mitchell, who turns 25 next month, is likely to have racked up nine Brownlow votes.

He says he never knows how many possessions he has had, focusing on just doing his best.