TAC Cup: Mitch Podhajski draws extra attention ahead of AFL draft

AFL interest has increased in Calder Cannons best and fairest Mitch Podhajski after an eye-catching transition into midfield this year.

Calder Cannons co-captain Mitch Podhajski looms as an AFL draft fancy. Picture: Kylie Else

AFL interest has increased in Calder Cannons best and fairest Mitch Podhajski after an eye-catching transition into midfield this year.

Podhajski was lauded as “like he’s a man among boys” by Cannons midfield coach Brett Gourley after he transformed from a 191cm swingman into a tall on-baller.

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Having proven his capabilities at both ends of the ground and in midfield, the 19-year-old is hopeful an AFL opportunity awaits.

“I have spoken to a few more clubs than last year and had a few more clubs speak to me post-combine, which I didn’t have last year,” he said.

Podhajski joined AFL players Ben Ronke, Rory Atkins, Cam Guthrie and Richard Douglas on the list of Robert Hyde medallists, fitting reward for a standout campaign during which he mixed his time between the TAC Cup and VFL with Coburg.

AFL draft prospect Mitch Podhajski playing with VFL club Coburg. Picture: Jordan Zmood.

The Greenvale and Aberfeldie junior booted 23 goals from 13 TAC Cup matches, averaging an impressive 23 disposals, six marks and seven tackles per game.

Podhajski said he was confident he could develop into an elite AFL midfielder.

“I still think I have got a lot of room for improvement being a midfielder. I think I have got a bigger scope to improve being a midfielder,” he said.

A Vic Metro representative last year at the Under-18 national carnival, Podhajski knew expectations would rise when he returned as a 19-year-old to Calder this season.

Mitch Podhajski battles for possession in the TAC Cup against Western Jets. Picture: Richard Serong

He took on additional responsibility as co-captain with close friend Jack Bytel, flourished in an unfamiliar role and did everything in his power to prove himself worthy of an AFL opportunity.

“I knew coming into the year that I was going to have to play really well at TAC Cup and hold my own at VFL,” Podhajski said.

“If you’re 18, you play a couple of good games here or there and show a bit of promise. That didn’t get me drafted, so I knew I had to have a really good, consistent year and every week try and improve from the week before.

“Don’t get comfortable at all and try and play as good as I can until the end of the year.”

As skipper, Podhajski has relished the development of his teammates Rhylee West, Curtis Taylor and Bytel into likely first or second-round draftees.

He said Western Bulldogs father-son prospect West would “play next year at AFL level”, Keilor junior Taylor had “gone up another level from last year” and Aberfeldie product Bytel was capable of “dominating” games in midfield.

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Podhajski attended this year’s state combine with Mason Fletcher, Sam Graham and Josh Kemp, while fellow Cannons Daniel Hanna and Tye Browning tested at the Rookie Me screening.

“Fingers crossed for all of them that we get as many drafted as possible,” he said.

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