Tom Mitchell reveals how he will spend the footy season after breaking his leg

Hawthorn midfielder and Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell has gone from the greatest of highs to the most crushing low after breaking his leg in January. But he’s a man with plan on how he’ll spend this AFL season.

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell admits it’s going to be hard watching his team run out for the AFL season opener from the sidelines this week after suffering a broken leg in training that will most likely see him out for the year.

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell broken leg hospital

The Hawthorn midfielder has gone from the greatest of highs to the most crushing low, suffering the break during training in January just three months after taking out footy’s most prestigious individual achievement.

“Yeah, it’s been difficult. Every footballer in their career is going to face a challenge whether that be an injury, form or things like that, so I probably see this is as one of my biggest challenges,” he says.

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“I’d love to be playing with them, but its still good to be around the club. I want to be as supportive as I can and help mentor some of the younger guys to contribute to the midfield group and stuff like that.”

“Hopefully I’ll be another set of eyes for my teammates and help the guys who might need a little bit more help.”

Mitchell says he’s trying to keep a positive mindset and to make the most of his time off the field.

“I’m trying to see this as a positive, it’s not actually positive, but there are still some things I can take from the year and it’s not a waste,” he says.

Mitchell after winning the Brownlow. Picture: AFL Media

“It’s going to give my the opportunity to look at things outside footy that I wouldn’t normally have the time or the chance to invest in.”

“I’m doing a business course and a sports science course as well, and then I’m going to do few things with the media and some coaching, so there are probably four things I’m going to play around with.”

Mitchell is also taking the unprecedented opportunity to go on a holiday overseas during the footy season.

“I’m going to head away to Fiji in a couple of weeks and just have five or six days to clear my head and come back and attack my training. I’m looking forward to that. I’ve never been able to do anything like that at this time of the year,” he says.

He’s also looking forward to spending more time with his partner Hannah Davis and their golden retriever puppies Nala and Macy.

“Hannah’s been riding the rollercoaster of emotion as well. It’s been a bit difficult but she’s always a great support to help get me through the tough times,” he says.

Mitchell says he bought Macy as a playmate for Nala the day before he broke his leg.

“It was a funny sort of time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to look after her. But Hannah helped quite a bit and I also got out of the duties like picking up the dog poo and feeding the dogs because I couldn’t do it, so I got all the good jobs,” he says.

Mitchell with his Golden Retrievers, Macy and Nala in Yarra Park. Picture: Jay Town

“It’s great to get home every day and see them, even if you’ve had a bad day you get home and see them and they cheer you up because they’re happy no matter what.”

Mitchell says he’s pleased with the progress of his recovery and is not ruling out a return to the team before the season ends, though he says it’s unlikely.

“I’ll never say never. I’ll do my rehab with diligence and give it my best shot and see how I go but I think its highly unlikely, we’ll just have to see how it goes,” he says.

For the moment he’s happy to be back on his feet and returning to the gym and normal life.

“To be where I am now compared to where I was nine weeks ago when it happened, it’s great to have my independence back, to walk the dogs and live my normal life,” he says.

“It’s going really well, obviously walking and moving again and I’m doing lots of stuff on the bike, in the pool and in the gym so it’s progressing pretty well. There is still so long to go, it’s hard to say whether I’m ahead or behind because every day is different.”

Mitchell is excited to be announced this week as an ambassador for lifestyle brands TOMS and Timbuk2 in Australia, famous for their shoes, accessories, backpacks and luggage.

He says the community minded ethos of the company means that his association is more than just a celebrity product endorsement.

“They pride themselves on helping others and that really appealed to me about how they give back. For every pair of shoes TOM’s sells they give a pair away to someone in need, other things like every pair of sunglasses they sell they do things like eye checks and eye surgery for children who may be losing their site overseas.”

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