Ex-skipper praises beauty in beast’s role
COLLINGWOOD is confident star onballer Tom Mitchell can have a big impact around the ball without having to post big possession numbers this year.
The hard nut has made a seamless transition to the Magpies where he went to help win a flag after playing in four finals campaigns in nine years at Sydney and Hawthorn.
Former Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury said it was clear the team needed to bolster its engine room as he prepared to spend more time at half-back in 2023.
The Magpies are again preparing to play a fast-paced game style with Pendlebury adamant Mitchell will suit the Magpies’ tempo alongside goal kicker Jordan De Goey and second-year sensation Nick Daicos.
While the former Hawk l has been one of the league’s top ballwinners over his career, averaging 29.5 possessions over 171 matches, the former skipper said his teammate’s defensive pressure and selflessness would also shine.
“It is not going to be the Tom Mitchell who goes out there and has 35 or 40 possessions every week,” Pendlebury said.
“It’s the Tom Mitchell who dominates around the footy and is a beast around the ball, but also puts on pressure, tackles, and he probably doesn’t feel like he has to be best on ground for us to win.
“He has just got to do his job because he addresses a great need for us. We haven’t been great around the footy with our clearance work and that is his one-wood.”
Mitchell, 29, faces a blockbuster match-up against new Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield in round 1 at the MCG in a huge test for the new-look Magpies.