Did Sam Mitchell drop hint in Hawthorn best-and-fairest victory speech?

SAM Mitchell’s address to the Hawthorn faithful at last Saturday night’s best-and-fairest makes for interesting reading after his floated trade grenade shook the footy world.

A CRYPTIC goodbye or standard victory speech?

Either way, Sam Mitchell’s address to the Hawthorn faithful on Saturday night makes for interesting reading after Wednesday’s floated trade grenade shook the footy world.

“A (premiership) is certainly where I’ll be aiming to get to next year,” Mitchell said after collecting his fifth best-and-fairest.

“And this football club has been aiming for top four and silverware for a long period of time and will continue to do so. To everyone in this room … thanks so much for being here tonight, but also for being here to support me for 15 years.”

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Mitchell, 34, travelled to Crown Palladium knowing this could well be his last Hawthorn function as a player.

Sam Mitchell addresses the Hawks faithful after winning the best-and-fairest. Picture: Eugene Hyland

The Hawks’ immortal thanked mentor David Parkin and coterie group members who had become such special friends that Mitchell could confide in them about life after football.

“There’s great people in a footy club,” Mitchell said.

“All the fans out there, I don’t know all of your names, but the relationship you build with a fan base over such a long period of time is something really special.”

Mitchell began by highlighting Hawthorn’s promising future.

“We love running out with all young blokes full of enthusiasm, so to all you young fellas keep up what you’re doing,” Mitchell said.

“If you look at the history of this football club it’s had success for 50-plus years, and I think that’s going to continue.”