Bucks, Clarko pick Pendles as best on, Mitchell gets tick too
THE coaches picked Scott Pendlebury as the best player on the ground in Collingwood’s come-from-behind win over Hawthorn, but how did they rate Tom Mitchell’s 50 touches?
Hawthorn
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hawthorn. Followed categories will be added to My News.
COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury was adjudged best on ground by both senior coaches for his masterful performance in the Magpies’ win over Hawthorn on Saturday night.
The Herald Sun can reveal Nathan Buckley and Alastair Clarkson both gave the brilliant onballer five votes each in the AFL Coaches Association Shadforth Financial Group Champion Player of the Year.
In one of the best games of his 245-game career, Pendlebury racked up 36 possessions to drag Collingwood back from a 43-point deficit and help keep the Magpies’ slim finals hopes alive.
And Hawthorn onballer Tom Mitchell was deemed the equal second-best player on the ground by both coaches, with the clearance king earning five votes for his 50-possession effort.
While debate has raged about Mitchell’s effectiveness in the game, the Herald Sun understands Mitchell received three votes from one coach and two votes from another.
Magpies’ defender Jeremy Howe and midfielder Adam Treloar also polled five votes along with Mitchell.
In a tweet today, Buckley said he rated Mitchell’s game highly.
“So not to be misrepresented. Tom Mitchell played an amazing game on the weekend and I believe our midfielders were instrumental in the win,” Buckley tweeted.
So not to be misrepresented. Tom Mitchell played an amazing game on the weekend and I believe our midfielders were instrumental in the win.
— Nathan Buckley (@ncb_cfc) May 22, 2017
After the match, Buckley said he did not see the need to put a direct tag on Mitchell, and instead backed the collective effort of his own midfield to topple Hawthorn.
“If I said he wasn’t hurting us a lot, would that make sense?” Buckley said in the press conference.
Pick me Mitch: Hok bolter’s stunning round 1 case
With Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear sidelined, a young tall has emerged as the likely spearhead of Hawthorn’s attack early in 2025. Get the latest track notes from the Hawks here.
Track watch: Wizard’s new tricks, Day dominates
Nick Watson and Will Day starred as Hawthorn’s pre-season went up a notch in the club’s latest session. MATT FORREST brings you all the key training notes.