Sam Mitchell reflects on 2012 AFL season that earnt him Brownlow Medal from deeper viewpoint

WHEN Sam Mitchell reflects on 2012, he doesn’t think about a season that earnt him the Brownlow Medal. Instead, he thinks of a harrowing time for his young family.

Sam Mitchell has been announced as a joint winner of the 2012 Brownlow Medal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

WHEN Sam Mitchell reflects on his 2012 AFL season, he doesn’t think about reaching the grand final, winning Hawthorn’s best and fairest or, now, claiming the Brownlow Medal.

Instead, he thinks of the harrowing time for his young family, as Mitchell’s mother-in-law was dying.

Mitchell and Richmond’s Trent Cotchin on Tuesday were declared joint winners of the 2012 Brownlow Medal by the AFL Commission after original winner Jobe Watson voluntarily handed back his prize last week.

The 34-year-old revealed that he had been told by the AFL that an private medal presentation had been flagged for “the middle of December”, but that he would know more details once he had moved his family across to Perth and met with Cotchin to discuss specifics.

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Mitchell had an excellent 2012 campaign, polling 26 Brownlow votes after averaging 27 disposals and 12.5 contested possessions, as well as career-high clearances (6.2), tackles (5.5) and inside 50s (4.2).

But speaking with Fox Sports News after running Melbourne’s ‘tan track’ with close friend and former Hawthorn teammate Tim Clarke — who is now an assistant coach at Carlton — Mitchell said he, his wife Lyndall and his whole family reflect on 2012 season from a much deeper perspective.

“I haven’t had time to digest it yet, but for me when I look at that season I had three kids under two and my wife’s mother, she’s died since then and was dying then. So when I look back at that season, it’s with a hint of pride that I was able to put out a pretty good season with the support of my family at a tough time for us,” Mitchell said on Wednesday morning.

Sam Mitchell polled 26 Brownlow votes in 2012. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“There is an aspect of that, but to be honest I haven’t gone through the season and who we played and all those things. That’s all to be done in the future, but we’ll cross it from a more official point over the next week.”

Mitchell said he accepts the 2012 Brownlow with “mixed emotions”.

“I guess there are two aspects. One is the way it’s happened with Essendon and Jobe, you have a fair bit empathy for him and his family, particularly his dad who I have met through footy,” Mitchell said.

“The second portion is obviously to named a Brownlow Medallist is something doesn’t happen every day, so with my family and friends sure I’m sure I will have some time to enjoy it over time.”

Mitchell, who was traded to West Coast during October’s AFL exchange period, said he’s thoroughly looking forward to commencing training at the Eagles.

“There are all these things logistical things you have to do as an adult, moving house and school when getting across the country,” he said.

“If I could click fingers and get it done, I’d like to get over there and get into it. But I’ve got a few more hurdles to jump over before we can get there.”

Originally published as Sam Mitchell reflects on 2012 AFL season that earnt him Brownlow Medal from deeper viewpoint