Sam Mitchell revelations another example trade week has become open slather, writes Mark Robinson

THE AFL has been tiptoeing toward an American flavour for several years, but it took a giant stride when Sam Mitchell revealed he could be an Eagle, writes MARK ROBINSON.

PEOPLE, welcome to the new world.

Players under contract can get up and leave, such as Bryce Gibbs

Twenty-two-year-olds who have played at one club for five minutes, such as ­Jaeger O’Meara, can demand to be traded to the club of their choice.

There’s confusion over trade picks and compensation picks and there’s positioning for academy picks.

There remain constants, however: Players, player managers and clubs lie.

But Wednesday was something else. It crossed a threshold.

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The AFL has been tiptoeing toward an American flavour for several years, but on Wednesday it took a giant stride, much like Indiana Jones did when he made the leap from the lion’s head to prove his worth.

Indiana couldn’t see where he was stepping and the ­football world didn’t see Sam Mitchell coming.

Sam Mitchell is bound for West Coast. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Mitchell’s phone call to SEN radio, where he revealed he could be an Eagles player next year, was astonishing.

For a brief moment, you could have sworn it was ­Andrew Startin with his latest impersonation.

Mitchell leaving the Hawks? You’re kidding.

The 300-game champ, winner of a gazillion awards, one of the flag-bearers for the unsociable and ultra successful Hawks, one of the greats of all time, looks certain to finish his career in Western Australia.

If this year’s trade week has shown us anything, it’s open slather.

What effect it has on the sport is a debate for the ­future, but let’s not kid ourselves: this is the bold new world.

Clearly, Mitchell is out ­because the Hawks need his money to pay for Tom Mitchell and presumably O’Meara, when or if they land him.

In effect, Mitchell was pushed out the door by coach Alastair Clarkson.

Not forcefully, but rather with an arm around him and led to the door. It was done with love but also with a sense of urgency and necessity.

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Mitchell’s manager, Peter Lenton, said the player was blindsided by Clarkson’s ­decision. Imagine how the conversation started.

Clarko: “We need to talk.’’

Mitchell: “Yeah, I’m happy to go to half-back next year.’’

Clarko: “How about you go to West Coast?’’

Mitchell has given every inch of himself to Clarkson and to the team and here was Clarkson telling him his future was probably elsewhere.

Sam Mitchell’s manager says the Hawks champ was blindsided by Clarkson’s suggestion. Picture: Alex Coppel

That’s a tough call from the coach. And shrewd.

He did what was best for his club. Thankfully for Clarkson, Mitchell is smart and pragmatic, and agreed.

“I went to my wife and told her what had happened and expected to be hit on the head. Because we had been considering moving, she was like, ‘You know what, let’s do it’,’’ Mitchell said.

So, Mitchell is gone. And so has a small part in all of us still believing in the preciousness of being one-club players.

Mitchell at another club doesn’t feel right. It’s the new world all right: Out with the old and in with the future.

So, who gets No.5: Tom Mitchell or O’Meara?