Sam Mitchell (footballer)

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Sam Mitchell

| image = SamMitchell.jpg

| caption = Mitchell with Hawthorn in 2025

| fullname = Samuel Mitchell

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|10|12}}

| birth_place = Box Hill, Victoria

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup)/Box Hill Hawks

| draftpick = No. 36, 2001 national draft

| debutdate = Round 5, 2002

| debutteam = {{AFL Haw}}

| debutopponent = {{AFL Ric}}

| debutstadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground

| height = 180 cm

| weight = 84 kg

| position = Midfielder / defender

| currentclub =

| years1 = 2002–2016

| club1 = {{AFL Haw}}

| games_goals1 = 307 (67)

| years2 = 2017

| club2 = {{AFL|WC}}

| games_goals2 = {{0}}22 {{0}}(4)

| games_goalstotal = 329 (71)

| statsend = 2017

| sooyears1 = 2008

| sooteam1 = Victoria

| soogames_goals1 = 1 (0)

| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015

| nationalteam1 = Australia

| nationalgames_goals1 = 2 (0)

| coachyears1 = 2021

| coachclub1 = {{VFL Box}} (VFL)

| coachgames_wins1 = 10 (8–2–0)

| coachyears2 = 2022–

| coachclub2 = {{AFL Haw}}

| coachgames_wins2 = 75 (34–41–0)

| coachstatsend = round 5, 2025

| careerhighlights =

4× AFL premiership player: 2008, 2013–2015
AFL premiership captain: 2008
Brownlow Medal: 2012
3× All-Australian team: 2011, 2013, 2015
Hawthorn captain: 2008–2010
5× Peter Crimmins Medal: 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016
AFL Rising Star: 2003
2× Lou Richards Medal: 2011, 2015
Herald Sun Player of the Year: 2011
VFL premiership player: 2001
J.J. Liston Trophy: 2002
Col Austen Trophy: 2002
Australian Football Hall of Fame: Inductee 2023

}}

Samuel Mitchell (born 12 October 1982) is an Australian rules football coach and former player who is the current coach of the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League.

As a player, he played with the Hawthorn Football Club and West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. Following his retirement in 2017, Mitchell remained with West Coast as an assistant coach in 2018. In 2019, Mitchell returned to Hawthorn as the midfield coach before becoming head of development and senior coach of Hawthorn's VFL affiliate team, the Box Hill Hawks in 2021.{{cite news |title=Sam Mitchell returns to Hawthorn as an assistant coach |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/10/19/mitchell-returns-to-hawthorn-as-an-assistant-coach/ |access-date=7 November 2018|website=Seven News|author=SEN|date=19 October 2018 |language=en}} In July 2021, Hawthorn appointed Mitchell as the next senior coach, taking over from Alastair Clarkson at the end of the 2021 season.{{cite web |title=Clarkson to step down as senior coach at end of 2021 |date=30 July 2021 |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/989779/clarkson-to-step-down-as-senior-coach-at-end-of-2021 |publisher=Hawthorn Football Club |access-date=30 July 2021}}

Early life

A product of Mooroolbark, in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, Mitchell played in the under 18 TAC Cup competition with the Eastern Ranges. He was the club's best and fairest player in 1999 and 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3020-0-0-0&sID=107191|title=Eastern Ranges - TAC Cup - SportsTG|website=SportsTG}} Disappointed at being overlooked in the 2000 draft, Mitchell joined the Box Hill Hawks. After a couple of games in the reserves he gained promotion to the seniors and completed the season as the team's number one rover. He was a member of Box Hill's premiership side in 2001.

Playing career

= Hawthorn =

Mitchell was recruited to the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFL in the 2001 AFL draft with selection number 36. This selection was received by Hawthorn in the deal which saw Trent Croad and Luke McPharlin traded to Fremantle, while Hawthorn gained selections one (Luke Hodge), 20 (Daniel Elstone) and number 36 (Mitchell).{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/it-was-the-trade-that-made-hawthorn-and-fremantle-the-teams-they-are-today/story-fni5f22o-1226727207702|title=It was the trade that made Hawthorn and Fremantle the teams they are today|first=Glenn |last=McFarlane|work=Herald Sun|date=25 September 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

The first half of his debut season in 2002 saw him playing with the Box Hill Hawks, until he broke into the Hawthorn side midway through the season. Following some unimpressive performances where he never managed more than 14 disposals, he was dropped for round 15 but was recalled after more eye-catching performances in round 19. He polled 31 votes in just 11 games to win the VFL's best and fairest award, the J. J. Liston Trophy.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/16/1032054759600.html|title=Box Hill midfielder wins Liston Medal|first=Gordon|last=Oldham|date=17 September 2002}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

FIle:Sam mitchell.jpg

In 2003 Mitchell continued to improve, winning the 2003 AFL Rising Star award and becoming known as "the Extractor" (particularly by commentator Brian Taylor) for his high amount of clearances and ability to win the ball out of middle of the ground.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/05/1062549021198.html|title=Mitchell, the Extractor, pulling out all the stops|first=Dermott|last=Brereton|author-link=Dermott Brereton|date=6 September 2003}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

A solid season followed in 2004, and in 2005 he played a "super" season until a foot injury sidelined him in round 15. For the 2006 season, Mitchell was named vice-captain of Hawthorn and displayed stellar form throughout the season culminating in winning the Peter Crimmins Medal for Hawthorn's best and fairest.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

In 2007 he capped off another wonderful season by coming 3rd in the votes for the highest honour in Australian Football, the Brownlow Medal with 21 votes, 1 short of joint 2nd-place winners, North Melbourne's Brent Harvey and Brisbane's Simon Black who both polled 22 votes, and coming 8 votes behind winner of the 2007 Brownlow, Geelong's Jimmy Bartel.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

On 6 October 2007, during the Peter Crimmins Medal Event, he was announced as Hawthorn's next captain, taking over the reins from retiring captain Richie Vandenberg.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/mitchell-to-captain-hawks/story-e6frf38c-1111114587864|title=Mitchell to captain Hawks|website=foxsports.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Mitchell was ineligible for 2008's Brownlow Medal following a tripping charge in the match against Melbourne in round nine.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

On Saturday, 27 September, Mitchell captained the Hawks to the 2008 premiership, the first in 17 years and the club's 10th, beating the reigning premiers, Geelong, by 26 points. Mitchell was reported for rough conduct against Geelong's Gary Ablett, Jr. in the second quarter, however the report was dismissed at the conclusion of the weekend.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

At the end of the 2010 season he handed the captaincy over to Luke Hodge, who was made captain of the 2010 All-Australian team.{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/hawthorn-captain-luke-hodge-will-ask-sam-mitchell-for-leadership-advice/story-e6frf9jf-1225971017731|title=Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge will ask Sam Mitchell for leadership advice|website=news.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

File:Sam Mitchell 2014.jpg

Mitchell polled 30 votes in the 2011 Brownlow Medal, but was ineligible to win after an incident in round 5 of the season; he had the second-most votes, behind Collingwood's Dane Swan. In 2012, Mitchell, along with Richmond's Trent Cotchin, both finished tied for second place in the Brownlow to Jobe Watson. On 12 January 2016 the World Anti-Doping Agency found Watson and another 33 Essendon players guilty of taking a prohibited substance during the 2012 AFL season, an AFL commission meeting in November 2016 determined the implications for the 2012 Brownlow Medal.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-asked-2012-brownlow-medal-runnersup-sam-mitchell-trent-cotchin-to-present-cases-for-inheriting-jobe-watsons-award/news-story/dabaecdb832c4bfa4fdd622d4aece9fc|title=AFL asked 2012 Brownlow Medal runners-up Sam Mitchell, Trent Cotchin to present cases for inheriting Jobe Watson's award|date=12 October 2016|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=13 October 2016}} On 15 November 2016, Mitchell and Cotchin were both retrospectively awarded the medal, and, on 13 December 2016, both were formally presented with the Medals in a private ceremony in Melbourne.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-15/trent-cotchin-and-sam-mitchell-awarded-2012-brownlow-medal|title=Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell awarded 2012 Brownlow Medal|publisher=AFL.com.au|first=Ashley|last=Browne|date=15 November 2016|access-date=15 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-12-13/sam-mitchell-and-trent-cotchin-share-something-unique-in-retrospective-brownlow-presentation|title=Mitchell, Cotchin share 'something unique' in medal handover|publisher=AFL.com.au|first=Travis|last=King|date=13 December 2016|access-date=13 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Mitchell was rewarded with the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2011, 2012 and 2016, and became a five-time best and fairest winner at Hawthorn, behind only Leigh Matthews, who won eight during his career.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sam-mitchell-wins-hawthorns-best-and-fairest/story-e6frf9jf-1226162126147|title=Sam Mitchell wins Hawthorn's best and fairest|last=Warner|first=Michael|date=9 October 2011|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=13 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/hawks-glory-for-super-sam-mitchell/story-e6frf3e3-1226492981534|title=Midfielder Sam Mitchell wins the Hawthorn best and fairest, his fourth Peter Crimmins Medal|last=Hayes|first=Mark|date=9 October 2012|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=13 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-08/sam-mitchell-second-only-to-lethal-after-fifth-hawks-bf|title=Sam Mitchell second only to 'Lethal' after fifth Hawks B&F|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|date=8 October 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=13 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Mitchell became a triple premiership player with the Hawks in season 2014, and like a swathe of his teammates his year was interrupted by a serious injury. After overcoming a serious hamstring injury that saw him miss nine weeks, it meant that Mitchell played only 16 of a possible 25 games for the Hawks, his lowest tally since 2005 when he played 14 games. Still averaging over 28 disposals per game for the season mixing between midfield and half-back, Mitchell played a critical role in Hawthorn’s back-to-back premierships and was recognised as such by being named the side’s best player in the finals series by his coaches. Averaging 31.6 disposals, 9.0 marks, 6.3 tackles and 5.6 clearances across the three games, and was unlucky not to win the Norm Smith Medal in the Grand Final after 33 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances and a goal assist.{{cite web | url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/711901/2014-review-sam-mitchell | title=2014 Review: Sam Mitchell | date=3 November 2014 }}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Mitchell became a four-time premiership player with the Hawks in season 2015, with some considering it to be Sam Mitchell’s best AFL season to date, in which he earned his third All-Australian selection, but finished just behind Josh Gibson and Cyril Rioli in the Peter Crimmins Medal count. His disposal tally of 748 and average of 31.2 topped the AFL and represents his own peak. On 16 occasions, Mitchell tallied 30 or more disposals, and collected a record-breaking 137 disposals across four matches during the finals. Mitchell was again named the club’s Best Player in Finals. Polling 26 votes in the 2015 Brownlow Medal, Mitchell finished in the top three vote-getters for the third time in his career.{{cite web | url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/415967/season-review-sam-mitchell | title=Season review: Sam Mitchell | date=30 November 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Mitchell played a total of 307 games and kicked a total of 67 goals for Hawthorn from 2002 until 2016 and was a member of Hawthorn's 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership teams.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

==League award==

The Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal is a Victorian Football League (VFL) award that is presented to the most promising young talent in the VFL competition. It was originally named the Fothergill–Round Medal after Des Fothergill and Barry Round, who at the time were the only two players to have won both the J. J. Liston Trophy (or one of its predecessors) and the Brownlow Medal; it was renamed the Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal in 2018 to also recognise Sam Mitchell, the third player to achieve the feat.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/sport/vfl-2018-the-vfls-fothergillroundmitchell-medal-is-a-ticket-to-the-afl/news-story/77990911a4748e60369d49b46c022695|title=VFL 2018: the VFL's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal is a ticket to the AFL|author=Paul Amy|date=30 August 2018|accessdate=4 October 2018|newspaper=Leader|publication-place=Melbourne}}

= West Coast Eagles =

On 12 October 2016, news broke that Mitchell, at Hawthorn's request, was considering a move to {{AFL WC}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-12/sam-mitchell-flags-possible-west-coast-move/7924714|title=Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell flags possible West Coast move in shock AFL trade|date=12 October 2016|work=ABC Online|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 October 2016}} and he was officially traded to West Coast two days later.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sam-mitchell-now-a-west-coast-eagles-player-after-trade-deal-struck-with-hawthorn/news-story/ee54afdf117717895b8d7487c66c457c|title=Sam Mitchell now a West Coast Eagles player after trade deal struck with Hawthorn|date=14 October 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=14 October 2016}}

In August 2017, he announced he would retire from the AFL at the end of the 2017 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-02/sam-mitchell-retires-from-afl-to-join-west-coast-coaching-ranks/8752974|title=Sam Mitchell announces AFL retirement to become West Coast Eagles assistant coach|last=Kagi|first=Jacob|date=2 August 2017|work=ABC Online|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2 August 2017}} Sam Mitchell played the final game of his career in the semi-final, where he recorded two goals and twenty-eight disposals in a 67-point loss to {{AFL GWS}}.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}} Mitchell played a total of 22 games and kicked a total of 4 goals for West Coast Eagles in 2017, in his only one season at the club.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/sam%2Bmitchell/14422|title=SAM MITCHELL|access-date=29 June 2022}}

Coaching career

=West Coast Eagles=

File:Sam Mitchell 2018.1.jpg]]

Shortly after his retirement from playing, Mitchell served as an assistant coach with the West Coast Eagles in 2018 under senior coach Adam Simpson.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-02/sam-mitchell-retires-from-afl-to-join-west-coast-coaching-ranks/8752974|title=Sam Mitchell announces AFL retirement to become West Coast Eagles assistant coach|last=Kagi|first=Jacob|date=2 August 2017|work=ABC Online|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=1 August 2022}} At the conclusion of the 2018 AFL season, which saw West Coast win the AFL premiership in the 2018 AFL Grand Final, Mitchell departed the West Coast Eagles.{{cite web |title=Sam Mitchell |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/227914 |website=Hawthorn Football Club |access-date=3 July 2020}}

=Hawthorn=

File:Sam Mitchell 2019.1.jpg]]

At the conclusion of the 2018 AFL season, Mitchell returned to Hawthorn to serve as an assistant coach in the position of midfield coach under senior coach Alastair Clarkson before becoming head of development and senior coach of Hawthorn's VFL affiliate team, the Box Hill Hawks in 2021.{{cite web |title=Sam Mitchell |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/227914 |website=Hawthorn Football Club |access-date=3 July 2020}}{{cite news |title=Sam Mitchell returns to Hawthorn as an assistant coach |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/10/19/mitchell-returns-to-hawthorn-as-an-assistant-coach/ |access-date=30 June 2022|website=Seven News|author=SEN|date=19 October 2018 |language=en}}

On 6 July 2021, the Hawthorn Football Club announced that as part of a succession plan, Mitchell would succeed Alastair Clarkson as the senior coach of Hawthorn from 2023; until then, Mitchell will continue as Head of Development and as Box Hill Hawks senior coach.{{cite web |title=Hawthorn announces future coaching plans |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/973217/hawthorn-announces-future-coaching-plans |website=Hawthorn Football Club |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/clarkson-mitchell-hawthorn-coaching-succession-plan-20210706-p587a0.html|title=Clarkson free to look elsewhere as Hawthorn unveil coaching succession plan|date=6 July 2021|access-date=17 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/643436/succession-plan-sam-mitchell-to-replace-alastair-clarkson-as-coach|title=Succession plan is on: Clarko's Hawks era to end|date=6 July 2021|access-date=17 April 2022}} However, on 30 July 2021, it was announced that Clarkson would leave Hawthorn at the conclusion of the 2021 AFL season, with Mitchell immediately succeeding him.{{cite web |title=Clarkson to step down as senior coach at end of 2021 |date=30 July 2021 |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/989779/clarkson-to-step-down-as-senior-coach-at-end-of-2021 |publisher=Hawthorn Football Club |access-date=30 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-and-four-time-premiership-coach-alastair-clarkson-part-ways-20210730-p58ed1.html|title=Clarkson may coach elsewhere after he and Hawthorn part ways|date=30 July 2021|access-date=17 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-30/alastair-clarkson-to-leave-hawthorn-afl/100336920|title=AFL coach Alastair Clarkson to leave Hawthorn at the end of the season|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=30 July 2021|access-date=17 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/hawthorn/afl-coaching-bombshell-as-alastair-clarkson-hawthorn/news-story/63807b78c5ec42f8879caf2d418c23ba|title=AFL coaching bombshell as Alastair Clarkson quits Hawthorn|date=30 July 2021|access-date=17 April 2022}}

In Mitchell's first season as senior coach of Hawthorn in the 2022 season, The Hawks under Mitchell finished in thirteenth place (fifth-last) position on the ladder with eight wins and fourteen losses, therefore not making finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/news/hawthornss-2022-review-hope-hurt-and-clanger/cqi6zhrmtmxzehon87szq412|title=Hawthorns's 2022 review: The Hope, the Hurt and the Clanger|date=13 September 2022|access-date=14 September 2023}} In the 2023 season, the Hawks under Mitchell finished sixteenth (third-last) position on the ladder with seven wins and sixteen losses and therefore not making finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/news/hawthorn-2023-season-review/f700aa99ed69dc6f7098ca74|title=Hawthorn 2023 season review: Forward guns underline positive campaign|date=1 September 2023|access-date=14 September 2023}}

In the 2024 AFL season, the Hawks finished in 7th on the ladder, playing finals for the first time under Mitchell.{{cite web | last=Welsh | first=AAP with Sophie | title=All Hawk, all action: Hawthorn nabs finals spot with Roos rout | website=afl.com.au | date=2024-08-24 | url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1203133 | access-date=2024-09-03}}

Kneeing controversy

On 13 July 2015, Mitchell was found guilty by the AFL's match review panel of having kneed the right thigh of Fremantle Dockers player Nathan Fyfe during the second quarter of the previous day's game and was fined $1000 for the offence. The media then brought to light other kneeing incidents involving Mitchell, those being the kneeing of Adelaide Crows captain Taylor Walker in the Round 12 game and the kneeing of Greater Western Sydney's Ryan Griffen in Round 6 of the 2015 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sam-mitchell-cops-whack-for-kneeing-nat-fyfe-as-prior-cases-emerge/story-fnp04d70-1227440496076?sv=297a1f36d688f76701ab7b17268405d9|title=Mitchell: Not my intention to hurt Fyfe|first=Mark|last=Robinson|work=Herald Sun|date=13 July 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/video-sam-mitchell-knees-ryan-griffen-off-the-ball-in-third-incident-revealed-on-fox-footys-afl-360/story-e6frf3e3-1227441916247|title=VIDEO: Sam Mitchell knees Ryan Griffen off the ball in third incident, revealed on Fox Footy's AFL 360|first=Riley |last=Beveridge|work=Fox Sports|date=15 July 2015 }} Another kneeing video incident surfaced of Mitchell kneeing North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson. The video shows Mitchell walking up to an unsuspecting Thompson and kneeing him in the left thigh.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-07-04/sneaky-sam-throws-out-a-knee|title=Sneaky Sam throws out a knee|date=4 July 2014 }} Media reports from 2008 show that an opposition club, Brisbane, expressed concerns to the AFL about Sam Mitchell's kneeing of opponents.{{cite news|url= http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/hawks-under-corking-scrutiny/story-e6frf38c-1111116212403|title=Hawks under 'corking' scrutiny|first=Mike |last=Sheahan|work=Herald Sun|date=1 May 2008}}

Playing style

Mitchell is often cited as one of the most ambidextrous players in the AFL and much opinion is made about which is his preferred foot. Although some have claimed that he was originally a left-footer who switched to his right foot later in his junior career, Mitchell has stated that he has just always tried to use the appropriate foot for the situation. He did, however, switch to his left foot when he wanted to kick longer.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/sam-mitchell-uses-his-non-preferred-foot-more-than-any-other-afl-footballer/story-e6frf3e3-1227393226605|title=Sam Mitchell uses his non-preferred foot more than any other AFL footballer|first=Adam |last=Baldwin|work=Fox Sports|date=11 June 2015}} Similarly, his handpassing is equally good with either hand.

Statistics

= Playing statistics =

| 2002 || {{AFL Haw}} || 28

| 9 || 1 || 1 || 53 || 48 || 101 || 19 || 29 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 5.9 || 5.3 || 11.2 || 2.1 || 3.2 || 1

| 2003 || {{AFL Haw}} || 28

| 21 || 5 || 2 || 199 || 174 || 373 || 54 || 89 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 9.5 || 8.3 || 17.8 || 2.6 || 4.2 || 9

| 2004 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 20 || 5 || 5 || 210 || 162 || 372 || 47 || 60 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 10.5 || 8.1 || 18.6 || 2.4 || 3.0 || 2

| 2005 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 14 || 2 || 4 || 186 || 157 || 343 || 62 || 49 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 13.3 || 11.2 || 24.5 || 4.4 || 3.5 || 9

| 2006 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 22 || 3 || 6 || 327 || 265 || 592 || 119 || 71 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 14.9 || 12.0 || 26.9 || 5.4 || 3.2 || 13

| 2007 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 23 || 2 || 3 || 262 || 331 || 593 || 120 || 96 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 11.4 || 14.4 || 25.8 || 5.2 || 4.2 || 21

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2008^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 24 || 4 || 2 || 313 || 354 || 667 || 90 || 88 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 13.0 || 14.8 || 27.8 || 3.8 || 3.7 || 15

| 2009 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 22 || 7 || 3 || 346 || 308 || 654 || 111 || 66 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 15.7 || 14.0 || 29.7 || 5.0 || 3.0 || 13

| 2010 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 19 || 5 || 4 || 282 || 242 || 524 || 76 || 90 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 14.8 || 12.7 || 27.6 || 4.0 || 4.7 || 15

| 2011 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 23 || 12 || 8 || 404 || 297 || 701 || 94 || 99 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 17.6 || 12.9 || 30.5 || 4.1 || 4.3 || 30

| 2012 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 24 || 7 || 7 || 345 || 308 || 653 || 84 || 133 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 14.4 || 12.8 || 27.2 || 3.5 || 5.5 || bgcolor=98FB98| 26^±

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2013^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 24 || 5 || 5 || 371 || 302 || 673 || 83 || 78 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 15.5 || 12.6 || 28.0 || 3.5 || 3.3 || 16

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2014^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 16 || 3 || 3 || 228 || 221 || 449 || 78 || 55 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 14.3 || 13.8 || 28.1 || 4.9 || 3.4 || 8

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2015^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 24 || 6 || 3 || 374 || 374 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 748^† || 98 || 92 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 15.6 || 15.6 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 31.2^† || 4.1 || 3.8 || 26

| 2016 || {{AFL Haw}} || 5

| 22 || 0 || 3 || 343 || 309 || 652 || 80 || 79 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 15.6 || 14.0 || 29.6 || 3.6 || 3.6 || 16

| 2017 || {{AFL WC}} || 1

| 22 || 4 || 4 || 260 || 278 || 538 || 71 || 64 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 13.0 || 13.9 || 26.9 || 3.6 || 3.2 || 7

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Sam_Mitchell.html|title=Sam Mitchell|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=16 August 2014}}

! 329 !! 71 !! 63 !! 4503 !! 4130 !! 8633 !! 1286 !! 1238 !! 0.2 !! 0.2 !! 13.8 !! 12.6 !! 26.4 !! 3.9 !! 3.8 !! 227

Head coaching record

rowspan="2"\|Team	rowspan="2"\|Year	colspan="5"\|Home and Away Season	colspan="4"\|Finals
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
Won	Lost	Drew	%	Position	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
HAW\|\|2022 \|\|8\|\|14\|\|0\|\|{{winperc\|8\|14}}\|\|13th out of 18\|\|—\|\|—\|\|—\|\|—
HAW\|\|2023 \|\|7\|\|16\|\|0\|\|{{winperc\|7\|16

}||16th out of 18||—||—||—||—

|- ! style="background:#fdd;"

!HAW||2024

||14||9||0||{{winperc|14|9}}||7th out of 18||1||1||.500|| Lost to Port Adelaide in Semi Final

|-!

! colspan="2"|Total||29||39||0||{{winperc|29|39|0}}|| ||1||1||{{winperc|1|1}}||

:[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/coaches/Sam_Mitchell.html Sam Mitchell's coaching profile at AFL Tables]

Honours and achievements

= Playing =

Hawthorn

4× AFL premiership player: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
2× Minor premiership: 2012, 2013
2× McClelland Trophy: 2012, 2013

Box Hill

VFL premiership player: 2001

Individual

AFL premiership captain: 2008
Brownlow Medal: 2012
3× All-Australian team: 2011, 2013, 2015
Hawthorn Captain: 2008–2010
5× Peter Crimmins Medal: 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016
Peter Crimmins Medal runner-up: 2008
3× Peter Crimmins Medal third-place: 2010, 2013, 2015
2× Lethal Award: 2015, 2016
Norwich Rising Star Award: 2003
J. J. Liston Trophy: 2002
Col Austen Trophy: 2002
Herald Sun Player of the Year Award: 2011
2× Lou Richards Medal: 2011, 2015
2× Australian international rules football team: 2014, 2015
Victoria Australian rules football team: 2008
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2003
Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee
Hawthorn life member

= Coaching =

West Coast

AFL premiership assistant coach: 2018

Hawthorn

McClelland Trophy: 2024

= League=

Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal

Personal life

Mitchell married Lyndall Degenhardt in early November 2009. They have a son and twin daughters.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/sam-plays-up-value-of-mum-ng-b88468600z|title=Sam plays up value of mum|publisher=The West Australian|first=Steve|last=Butler|date=13 May 2017|access-date=23 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Langmaid |first1=Aaron |title=Star Hawk's baby anguish |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/docs-hadnt-seen-baby-so-sick/news-story/7d17bfed811db72bbcac2eafd1d295bf |access-date=7 November 2018 |work=Herald Sun |date=5 May 2011}}

References

External links

{{AFL Tables|S/Sam_Mitchell}}
{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/mitchells-persistence-pays/2007/07/06/1183351461455.html| title = Mitchell's Persistence Pays| archive-url = http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&kw=Mitchell+and+Hawthorn&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=200&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE0707071I6P67113QL| archive-date=7 July 2007| date =7 July 2007| first = Rohan | last = Connolly | work =The Age}}